Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Massachusetts
The median dental hygienist earns $100,640 a year in Massachusetts ($48.39 an hour), with the middle half earning between $98,150 and $106,220.[1]
25th percentile
$98,150
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$100,640
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$106,220
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $100,640 per year or $48.39/hr at the median. Massachusetts runs about 3% 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 hygienists 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 | $44.96 | $93,510 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $47.19 | $98,150 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $48.39 | $100,640 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $51.07 | $106,220 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $56.43 | $117,380 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $49.11 | $102,160 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Massachusetts
6,850
1.88
1.31
How Massachusetts compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $100,640 in Massachusetts vs. $98,100 nationally, $2,540 (3%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $93,510 vs. $74,880, 25% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $117,380 vs. $126,050, 7% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 1.9% in Massachusetts vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist 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 | $101,990 | $98,480–$106,820 | 5,150 |
| Barnstable Town | $101,820 | $97,980–$104,720 | 190 |
| Worcester | $100,460 | $99,730–$101,280 | 790 |
| Pittsfield | $97,980 | $84,630–$98,970 | 100 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $97,940 | $94,180–$100,310 | 130 |
| Springfield | $97,620 | $96,080–$98,870 | 380 |
| Providence-Warwick | $89,310 | $84,030–$97,740 | 1,250 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Massachusetts
Massachusetts's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 1.9% over 2024–2034, from 6,790 to 6,910 jobs, with about 420 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 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 hygienist pay in Massachusetts
Pay for a dental hygienist 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 dental hygienist roles in Massachusetts, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Massachusetts: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Massachusetts was $100,640 ($48.39 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $98,150 and $106,220. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $93,510 and the top 10% earned over $117,380.
Do dental hygienists in Massachusetts earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Massachusetts median of $100,640 is higher than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $2,540 (3%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Massachusetts metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 7 Massachusetts metro areas with published BLS data, Boston-Cambridge-Newton has the highest median at $101,990 a year. Providence-Warwick has the lowest, at $89,310.
How many dental hygienists work in Massachusetts?
BLS estimates 6,850 dental hygienists were employed in Massachusetts in May 2025. That is 1.88 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.31, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 1.9% over 2024–2034, from 6,790 to 6,910 jobs. That works out to about 420 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Hiring in Massachusetts?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Massachusetts
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), 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 Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists