Dental Hygienist Salary in Massachusetts: $106,156 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $106,156/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $97,840 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($101,990), Lynn ($101,908), Barnstable Town ($101,820).
In Massachusetts, the average median salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is projected at $106,156, which is slightly higher than the national median of $102,946, reflecting a 3.1% premium. The highest paying city is Boston, where salaries are estimated at $107,028, while Andover offers the lowest at $98,586, indicating a salary gap of $8,442 between these two locations. Factors driving this difference include the cost of living, demand for dental services, and varying local economies. Massachusetts has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the profession, contributing to a qualified workforce and a higher demand for dental hygienists. The state's projected growth rate of 4.94% in employment opportunities indicates a strong job market and is driven by a growing emphasis on preventative dental care and an aging population that requires ongoing dental services. With a total of 7,327 dental hygienists employed across 59 metro areas in Massachusetts, cities like Lynn ($106,942), Barnstable Town ($106,850), Newton ($106,168), and Somerville ($105,541) provide competitive salaries closely aligned with the state average. These figures reflect the steady demand for dental hygienists and the potential for career advancement within the state.
Massachusetts Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $74,613 (lowest entry-level) to $140,197 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts dental hygienists earn 3.12% more than the national median (+$3,210/year difference).
Massachusetts Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Massachusetts range from $97,907 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $121,145 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,156. The Massachusetts median is $3,210 above the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $51.03/hr. Approximately 7,327 dental hygienists are employed across 59 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$85,983
2025 BLS Actual
$101,159
2026 Current Est.
$106,156
2020–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Massachusetts (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $85,983 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,119 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,919 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,608 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,552 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,159 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,156 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,400 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 17.6% from $85,983 (2020) to $101,159 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,400 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,417 (29.56%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Andover | $98,586 |
| Leominster | $98,828 |
| Wellesley | $98,917 |
| Chelmsford | $98,974 |
| Woburn | $99,062 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $106,850 | 98.351 | $108,641 |
| Pittsfield | $102,820 | 95.106 | $108,111 |
| Springfield | $102,442 | 96.061 | $106,643 |
| Worcester | $105,423 | 102.523 | $102,829 |
| Amherst Town | $102,778 | 100.243 | $102,529 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $97,907 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $106,156 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $121,145 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 59 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $107,028 |
| 2 | Lynn | $106,942 |
| 3 | Barnstable Town | $106,850 |
| 4 | Newton | $106,168 |
| 5 | Somerville | $105,541 |
| 6 | Worcester | $105,423 |
| 7 | Revere | $105,377 |
| 8 | Brockton | $105,016 |
| 9 | New Bedford | $104,898 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $104,833 |
| 11 | Cambridge | $104,472 |
| 12 | Malden | $104,453 |
| 13 | Haverhill | $104,436 |
| 14 | Lowell | $104,410 |
| 15 | Framingham | $104,363 |
| 16 | Peabody | $104,222 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $103,909 |
| 18 | Chicopee | $103,596 |
| 19 | Randolph | $103,482 |
| 20 | Quincy | $103,299 |
| 21 | Amherst | $103,175 |
| 22 | Chelsea | $103,168 |
| 23 | Medford | $102,886 |
| 24 | Pittsfield | $102,820 |
| 25 | Fall River | $102,788 |
| 26 | Marlborough | $102,788 |
| 27 | Amherst Town | $102,778 |
| 28 | Watertown | $102,771 |
| 29 | Fitchburg | $102,690 |
| 30 | Methuen | $102,651 |
| 31 | Taunton | $102,606 |
| 32 | Arlington | $102,569 |
| 33 | Springfield | $102,442 |
| 34 | Needham | $102,303 |
| 35 | Westfield | $102,255 |
| 36 | Everett | $102,238 |
| 37 | Holyoke | $101,713 |
| 38 | Beverly | $101,543 |
| 39 | Lawrence | $101,542 |
| 40 | Dartmouth | $101,422 |
| 41 | Northampton | $101,417 |
| 42 | Waltham | $101,320 |
| 43 | Barnstable | $101,211 |
| 44 | Brookline | $100,990 |
| 45 | Billerica | $100,833 |
| 46 | Braintree | $100,493 |
| 47 | Salem | $100,323 |
| 48 | Natick | $100,259 |
| 49 | Dracut | $99,733 |
| 50 | Lexington | $99,669 |
| 51 | Stoughton | $99,669 |
| 52 | Shrewsbury | $99,540 |
| 53 | Franklin | $99,273 |
| 54 | Attleboro | $99,192 |
| 55 | Woburn | $99,062 |
| 56 | Chelmsford | $98,974 |
| 57 | Wellesley | $98,917 |
| 58 | Leominster | $98,828 |
| 59 | Andover | $98,586 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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