Massachusetts ranks near the top of the Northeast for dental hygienist pay, with a mean annual salary of $102,160 compared to $98,990 nationally, placing it 3.2% above the national average. New Jersey ($104,410) and New York ($103,640) edge it out slightly, but Massachusetts sits well above Connecticut ($98,720), Rhode Island ($88,660), and Pennsylvania ($84,260). If you are benchmarking offers against regional competitors, plan for compensation expectations that reflect a high-cost, high-pay market.
Dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts (2026)
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The average dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts is $102,160 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $100,640 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Massachusetts employs 6,850 dental hygienists, and the $1,520 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level dental hygienists in Massachusetts typically earn around $93,510, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed the $117,380 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dental hygienist hire in Massachusetts, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $100,640 |
Average Annual Salary | $102,160 |
vs. National Average | 3.2% above the national mean of $98,990 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 6,850 employed dental hygienists across Massachusetts.
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Dental hygienist salary percentiles in Massachusetts
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $93,510 |
25th Percentile | $98,150 |
75th Percentile | $106,220 |
90th Percentile | $117,380 |
Employers setting an offer for a dental hygienist in Massachusetts should expect that even entry-level candidates typically command $93,510, leaving a relatively narrow band before reaching the $117,380 level that senior specialists commonly reach or exceed. The compressed range between the 10th and 90th percentiles means that experience and specialization, rather than geography alone, will be the primary levers for differentiating your offer.
Dental hygienist salary by city in Massachusetts
City | Average Annual Salary |
Boston | $104,070 |
Barnstable | $102,240 |
Worcester | $100,180 |
Springfield | $96,130 |
Location within Massachusetts can meaningfully shift your compensation budget, so employers should factor city into their offer strategy before posting a role. Boston carries the highest average at $104,070, while Springfield sits at $96,130, a difference of nearly $8,000 per year. If you are hiring in Springfield or Worcester, you may find more budget flexibility than a Boston-based role would require.
How Massachusetts compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Massachusetts | $102,160 | $100,640 |
New Jersey | $104,410 | $107,040 |
New York | $103,640 | $106,130 |
Connecticut | $98,720 | $100,690 |
Rhode Island | $88,660 | $86,910 |
Pennsylvania | $84,260 | $80,610 |
Employers hiring in Massachusetts should expect compensation expectations that are broadly in line with the Northeast's higher-paying markets, though New Jersey and New York do set a slightly higher benchmark. Massachusetts sits above Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania, so candidates relocating from those states may accept offers at or near the Massachusetts median of $100,640. Employers competing for talent from New York or New Jersey may need to match or approach those states' figures to close senior candidates.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts
How does Massachusetts compare to other states for dental hygienist salary?
What do the top-earning dental hygienists make in Massachusetts?
Dental hygienists at the 90th percentile in Massachusetts earn $117,380 per year. Senior specialists with advanced skills or experience in high-demand practice settings are the candidates most likely to command figures at or above that threshold. When recruiting for a senior role, budget toward the upper end of the range to remain competitive with what top candidates can earn elsewhere in the state.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in Massachusetts?
The salary range for a dental hygienist in Massachusetts runs from $93,510 at the 10th percentile to $117,380 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $98,150 at the 25th percentile and $106,220 at the 75th percentile, which is where most offers for experienced candidates will land. Use the seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling to determine where within that band your offer should sit.
What is the average dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts?
The average dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts is $102,160 per year, with a median of $100,640. The $1,520 gap between the two figures reflects a modest pull from higher-compensated roles at the top of the market. For most hiring decisions, anchoring your initial offer to the median of $100,640 gives you a defensible and market-aligned starting point.
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1292 (Dental Hygienists).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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