Dental Assistant salary in Worcester, MA
Dental Assistants in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $50,720 a year ($24.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,810 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 13% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $57,980. There are 2.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| 25th percentile | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Median | $50,720 | $24.39 |
| 75th percentile | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Average (mean) | $54,070 | $26.00 |
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 | $4,226.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,113.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,950.77 |
| Weekly | $975.38 |
| Hourly | $24.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $43,510 | $20.92 |
| Massage Therapist | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $40,870 | $19.65 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Orderly | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,710 | $18.61 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Worcester, MA metro area is $50,720 a year, or $24.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $61,810 a year. The top 25% earn $61,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,580 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $48,300 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Worcester, MA?
About 880 dental assistants are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.