Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Massachusetts
The median dental assistant earns $57,980 a year in Massachusetts ($27.88 an hour), with the middle half earning between $48,600 and $60,720.[1]
25th percentile
$48,600
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$57,980
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$60,720
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $57,980 per year or $27.88/hr at the median. Massachusetts runs about 21% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Massachusetts
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in Massachusetts earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Massachusetts hourly | Massachusetts annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22.73 | $47,270 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $23.36 | $48,600 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $27.88 | $57,980 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $29.19 | $60,720 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $35.00 | $72,790 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $27.23 | $56,640 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Massachusetts
9,680
2.66
1.07
How Massachusetts compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $57,980 in Massachusetts vs. $48,070 nationally, $9,910 (21%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $47,270 vs. $37,130, 27% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $72,790 vs. $62,250, 17% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 1.6% in Massachusetts vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Massachusetts
All 7 Massachusetts metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $58,160 | $48,770–$61,050 | 7,190 |
| Barnstable Town | $58,080 | $48,350–$60,220 | 240 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $54,970 | $48,670–$58,120 | 160 |
| Pittsfield | $51,470 | $47,750–$59,290 | 130 |
| Worcester | $50,720 | $48,300–$61,110 | 880 |
| Springfield | $49,690 | $47,960–$58,240 | 610 |
| Providence-Warwick | $49,460 | $47,830–$58,480 | 1,650 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Massachusetts
Massachusetts's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 1.6% over 2024–2034, from 9,280 to 9,420 jobs, with about 1,210 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in Massachusetts
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
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Browse open dental assistant roles in Massachusetts, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Assistant salary in Massachusetts: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Massachusetts was $57,980 ($27.88 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $48,600 and $60,720. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $47,270 and the top 10% earned over $72,790.
Do dental assistants in Massachusetts earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Massachusetts median of $57,980 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $9,910 (21%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Massachusetts metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 7 Massachusetts metro areas with published BLS data, Boston-Cambridge-Newton has the highest median at $58,160 a year. Providence-Warwick has the lowest, at $49,460.
How many dental assistants work in Massachusetts?
BLS estimates 9,680 dental assistants were employed in Massachusetts in May 2025. That is 2.66 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.07, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 1.6% over 2024–2034, from 9,280 to 9,420 jobs. That works out to about 1,210 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Massachusetts?
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Other roles in Massachusetts
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Massachusetts long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants