Dental Hygienist Salary in Mississippi: $74,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $74,088/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $86,450 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pearl ($83,275), Tupelo ($83,256), Madison ($82,923).
The projected average median salary for dental hygienists in Mississippi in 2026 is $74,088, which is significantly lower than the national median of $102,946, resulting in a 28.0% salary gap. The highest-paying city in the state is Pearl, offering $87,389, while Hattiesburg is the lowest at $68,589, illustrating a disparity of $18,800 driven by factors such as local cost of living, demand for dental services, and the concentration of dental practices in urban areas. Mississippi requires dental hygienists to hold state licenses and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, which govern their responsibilities and duties. The demand for dental hygienists is supported by a projected annual growth rate of 4.94%, indicating a steady increase in employment opportunities. Currently, there are approximately 680 dental hygienists employed across the state, with top cities for employment offering salaries ranging from $86,431 in Horn Lake to $87,389 in Pearl. This outlook suggests a stable job market for future dental hygienists, making it essential for prospective candidates to consider local educational programs and licensing requirements in their career planning.
Mississippi Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $60,006 (lowest entry-level) to $111,420 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi dental hygienists earn 28.03% less than the national median ($-28,858/year difference).
Mississippi Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Mississippi range from $67,043 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,449 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $74,088. The Mississippi median is $28,858 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $35.62/hr. Approximately 680 dental hygienists are employed across 20 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$56,224
2025 BLS Actual
$70,600
2026 Current Est.
$74,088
2020–2027 Growth
+38.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Mississippi (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $56,224 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,521 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,748 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.6% from $56,224 (2020) to $70,600 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,748 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,524 (38.28%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $68,589 |
| Jackson | $70,593 |
| Gulfport | $77,131 |
| Biloxi | $78,041 |
| Clinton | $81,118 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | $87,389 | 85.7 | $101,971 |
| Tupelo | $87,369 | 85.7 | $101,947 |
| Madison | $87,019 | 85.7 | $101,539 |
| Southaven | $86,787 | 85.7 | $101,268 |
| Horn Lake | $86,431 | 85.7 | $100,853 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $67,043 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $74,088 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,449 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | $87,389 |
| 2 | Tupelo | $87,369 |
| 3 | Madison | $87,019 |
| 4 | Southaven | $86,787 |
| 5 | Horn Lake | $86,431 |
| 6 | Starkville | $85,794 |
| 7 | Ridgeland | $84,707 |
| 8 | Vicksburg | $84,707 |
| 9 | Oxford | $84,171 |
| 10 | Brandon | $84,082 |
| 11 | Meridian | $83,637 |
| 12 | Olive Branch | $83,473 |
| 13 | Hernando | $83,055 |
| 14 | Columbus | $82,961 |
| 15 | Laurel | $81,595 |
| 16 | Clinton | $81,118 |
| 17 | Biloxi | $78,041 |
| 18 | Gulfport | $77,131 |
| 19 | Jackson | $70,593 |
| 20 | Hattiesburg | $68,589 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Mississippi?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov