Dentists in Massachusetts earn a median of $181,600 per year and a mean of $223,200. The gap between those two figures reflects a wide range of compensation across the state, driven by practice type, specialization, and years of experience. When budgeting a hire, use the median as your baseline and adjust upward based on the seniority of the role you are filling.
Dentist salary in Massachusetts (2026)
In this article
The average dentist salary in Massachusetts is $223,200 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $181,600 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Massachusetts employs 2,780 dentists, and the $41,600 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level dentists in Massachusetts typically earn around $101,470, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed the 90th percentile threshold of $417,670. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist 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 | $181,600 |
Average Annual Salary | $223,200 |
vs. National Average | 16.6% above the national mean of $191,350 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 2,780 employed dentists across Massachusetts.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next dentist hire.
Dentist salary percentiles in Massachusetts
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $101,470 |
25th Percentile | $157,670 |
75th Percentile | $315,990 |
90th Percentile | $417,670 |
When setting an offer for a dentist in Massachusetts, the wide spread between $101,470 at the 10th percentile and $417,670 at the 90th percentile means seniority and specialization will drive your number more than any single benchmark. Candidates with established patient panels or specialized training will expect compensation well above the $181,600 median, so build your offer range around the specific experience level you are targeting.
Dentist salary by city in Massachusetts
City | Average Annual Salary |
Worcester | $239,870 |
Barnstable | $238,130 |
Springfield | $228,390 |
Boston | $220,730 |
Employers hiring outside Boston should not assume the state's largest metro sets the compensation ceiling for dentists in Massachusetts. Worcester leads all metros at $239,870 on average, while Boston comes in at $220,730, a difference of $19,140 that matters when you are benchmarking offers against local market rates. If you are recruiting in Worcester or Barnstable, budget above the statewide mean of $223,200 to stay competitive.
How Massachusetts compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Massachusetts | $223,200 | $181,600 |
New York | $202,040 | $183,060 |
New Jersey | $198,290 | $171,330 |
Connecticut | $183,990 | $160,440 |
Pennsylvania | $172,710 | $163,390 |
Rhode Island | $162,440 | $161,560 |
Employers in Massachusetts should expect to pay more for dentists than they would in any neighboring Northeast state. Massachusetts carries a mean of $223,200 compared to $202,040 in New York and $162,440 in Rhode Island, so candidates relocating from lower-paying states may still find Massachusetts offers attractive. Budget accordingly if you are competing for talent that has options across the region.
Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in Massachusetts
How much do dentists make in MA?
What do the top-earning dentists make in Massachusetts?
Dentists at the 90th percentile in Massachusetts earn $417,670 per year. Candidates at this level typically bring specialized skills, established patient bases, or ownership stakes in a practice. If you are recruiting for a senior or specialist role, plan for compensation well above the statewide median of $181,600.
How does Massachusetts compare to other states for dentist salary?
Massachusetts pays dentists more than any of the comparison Northeast states, with a mean of $223,200 against $202,040 in New York and $172,710 in Pennsylvania. This means candidates in Massachusetts carry higher compensation expectations than peers in neighboring markets. Factor this premium into your offer if you are benchmarking against national or regional salary surveys.
What is the average dentist salary in Massachusetts?
The average dentist salary in Massachusetts is $223,200 per year, which sits 16.6% above the national mean of $191,350. That premium reflects both the cost of living in the state and the concentration of higher-compensated roles in the market. Use the median of $181,600 as your anchor for typical hires and reserve the higher end of your range for candidates with specialized credentials or significant experience.
Dentist salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1021 (Dentists, General).
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.
Author
The Rippling Team
Global HR, IT, and Finance know-how directly from the Rippling team.
Hubs
Explore more
Aug 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in New Jersey (2026)
Find 2026 dentist salary data for New Jersey: median $171,330, average $198,290, plus percentiles, city breakdowns, and regional comparisons.
Aug 12, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in New York (2026)
Dentist salaries in New York average $202,040, with pay ranging from $75,410 to $375,740. Compare rates by city, percentile, and state to budget your next hire.
Jun 9, 2026
|
2 min
Dentist salary in the US (2026)
Dentist salaries in the US range from $86,250 to $319,630. See median pay by state and percentile to build competitive offers for your next hire.
Aug 12, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Maryland (2026)
Maryland dentists earn a median $168,500 and average $185,740. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Maryland compares to neighboring states.
Aug 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania dentists earn a median $163,390 per year. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and state comparisons to budget your next hire confidently.
Aug 13, 2026
|
3 min
Dentist salary in Washington (2026)
Dentist salaries in Washington range from $85,240 to $346,840. See median, average, and city-level data to set competitive offers for your next hire.
Aug 6, 2026
|
2 min
Financial analyst salary in Massachusetts (2026)
Financial analyst salaries in Massachusetts range from $77,940 to $205,320. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how MA compares to nearby states.
Aug 6, 2026
|
2 min
Financial analyst salary in Texas (2026)
Financial analyst salaries in Texas range from $63,230 to $169,990. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how Texas compares to other states.
See Rippling in action
Increase savings, automate busy work, and make better decisions by managing HR, IT, and Finance in one place.