Dental Assistant salary in Massachusetts
Dental Assistants in Massachusetts earn a median of $57,980 a year ($27.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,790 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $48,070. Massachusetts ranks 7th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.7 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,640, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| 25th percentile | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| Median | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| 75th percentile | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| Average (mean) | $56,640 | $27.23 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,831.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,415.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,230 |
| Weekly | $1,115 |
| Hourly | $27.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $58,160 | 7,190 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $58,080 | 240 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $54,970 | 160 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $51,470 | 130 |
| Worcester, MA | $50,720 | 880 |
| Springfield, MA | $49,690 | 610 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $49,460 | 1,650 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Massage Therapist | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Phlebotomist | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| Orderly | $38,970 | $18.74 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,440 | $18.00 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for dental assistants in Massachusetts is $57,980 a year, or $27.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Massachusetts earn at least $72,790 a year. The top 25% earn $60,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,270 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $48,600 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Massachusetts?
About 9,680 dental assistants are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.