Dental Hygienist salary in Massachusetts
Dental Hygienists in Massachusetts earn a median of $100,640 a year ($48.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $93,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,380 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $98,100. Massachusetts ranks 16th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.9 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,510 | $44.96 |
| 25th percentile | $98,150 | $47.19 |
| Median | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| 75th percentile | $106,220 | $51.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,380 | $56.43 |
| Average (mean) | $102,160 | $49.11 |
Half of dental hygienists 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 | $8,386.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,193.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,870.77 |
| Weekly | $1,935.38 |
| Hourly | $48.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $101,990 | 5,150 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $101,820 | 190 |
| Worcester, MA | $100,460 | 790 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $97,980 | 100 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $97,940 | 130 |
| Springfield, MA | $97,620 | 380 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $89,310 | 1,250 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $104,550 | $50.27 |
| Physicians, All Other | $236,580 | $113.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142,440 | $68.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,170 | $66.43 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,310 | $48.71 |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | $68.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $277,490 | $133.41 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Dentists, General | $181,600 | $87.31 |
| Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Veterinarian | $140,260 | $67.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. 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 hygienist make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Massachusetts is $100,640 a year, or $48.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $93,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Massachusetts earn at least $117,380 a year. The top 25% earn $106,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $93,510 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $98,150 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Massachusetts?
About 6,850 dental hygienists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.