Dental Hygienist Pay

Boston vs Quincy: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Boston, MA and Quincy, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$107,028
$51.45/hr
Quincy, MA
$103,299
$49.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAQuincy, MA
Median Salary$107,028$103,299
Hourly Rate$51.45$49.67
Entry Level (P10)$100,595$78,851
25th Percentile$103,345$87,539
75th Percentile$112,097$117,564
Top Earner (P90)$123,378$138,310
Total Employed5,15015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($107,028) and Quincy ($103,299) dental hygienist salaries.BostonQuincyMedian Salary$107,028$103,299Entry Level (P10)$100,595$78,851Top Earner (P90)$123,378$138,310US Median $102,946

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Quincy.

The salary gap between Boston and Quincy is $3,729 (3.61%). Boston's median is +3.97% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $22,783,Quincy spans $59,459. Quincy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$100,595
P25$103,345
Median$107,028
P75$112,097
P90 (Top)$123,378
Quincy
P10 (Entry)$78,851
P25$87,539
Median$103,299
P75$117,564
P90 (Top)$138,310

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($98,857 effective) pays 3.83% more than Quincy ($95,206 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $107,028
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $98,857
Quincy
Nominal: $103,299
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $95,206

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,028/year)
  • Larger job market (5,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,857)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Quincy if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($138,310)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Boston grew 18.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 15.2% growth in Quincy over the same period.

Boston, MA

+18.0%

$86,450 (2020) → $101,990 (2025)

Quincy, MA

+15.2%

$85,416 (2020) → $98,436 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Boston or Quincy?

Boston has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $107,028/year, compared to Quincy at $103,299/year — a difference of $3,729 (3.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Quincy?

Boston dental hygienists earn $51.45/hr while Quincy hygienists earn $49.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Quincy as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Quincy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $98,857, Quincy = $95,206), job availability (5,150 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Boston vs Quincy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $100,595 in Boston and $78,851 in Quincy. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov