Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Massachusetts
The median dentist earns $181,600 a year in Massachusetts ($87.31 an hour), with the middle half earning between $157,670 and $315,990.[1]
25th percentile
$157,670
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$181,600
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$315,990
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $181,600 per year or $87.31/hr at the median. Massachusetts runs about 6% 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 dentists 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 | $48.79 | $101,470 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $75.80 | $157,670 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $87.31 | $181,600 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $151.92 | $315,990 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $200.80 | $417,670 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $107.31 | $223,200 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Massachusetts
2,780
0.77
0.96
How Massachusetts compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $181,600 in Massachusetts vs. $170,950 nationally, $10,650 (6%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $101,470 vs. $86,250, 18% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $417,670 vs. $319,630, 31% higher.
Dentist 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $202,240 | $168,510–$212,240 | 50 |
| Worcester | $202,110 | $128,770–$345,730 | 320 |
| Barnstable Town | $200,470 | $133,080–$362,660 | 90 |
| Springfield | $198,250 | $167,950–$337,750 | 160 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $181,150 | $157,670–$216,010 | 1,920 |
| Pittsfield | $173,990 | $111,240–$328,040 | 50 |
| Providence-Warwick | $172,310 | $124,990–$212,480 | 580 |
Job outlook for dentists in Massachusetts
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dentist (all dentists, including specialists) employment to grow 6% over 2025–35, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 openings a year.[3]
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 dentist pay in Massachusetts
Pay for a dentist 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
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dentist roles in Massachusetts, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Massachusetts: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage for dentists in Massachusetts was $181,600 ($87.31 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $157,670 and $315,990. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $101,470 and the top 10% earned over $417,670. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Massachusetts earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Massachusetts median of $181,600 is higher than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $10,650 (6%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Massachusetts metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 7 Massachusetts metro areas with published BLS data, Amherst Town-Northampton has the highest median at $202,240 a year. Providence-Warwick has the lowest, at $172,310.
How many dentists work in Massachusetts?
BLS estimates 2,780 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Massachusetts in May 2025. That is 0.77 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.96, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Hiring in Massachusetts?
Fill dentist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Massachusetts
- Dental Hygienist salary in Massachusetts
- Dental Assistant salary in Massachusetts
- Dental Specialist salary in Massachusetts
- Dental Front Office salary in Massachusetts
- Dental Office Manager salary in Massachusetts
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in Massachusetts
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Massachusetts
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, General (29-1021), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)