PayByState

Massachusetts · BLS SOC 29-1292

Dental Hygienist salary in Massachusetts

Median $111,230 · Top 10% earn $146,030+ · Roughly 5,660 workers in Massachusetts. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Massachusetts median
$111,230
$53.48/hr
Top 10%
$146,030
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$74,320
Entry-level range
Real pay
$100,570
CoL-adjusted (RPP 110.6)

Massachusetts pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $111,230 versus the national median of $94,260. Even after adjusting for Massachusetts's high cost of living, the real pay still leads the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 5,660 dental hygienists.

What drives dental hygienist pay in Massachusetts

Massachusetts hygiene programs are deliberately small (Forsyth, Mt. Ida, Mass College). Wage premium is structurally driven by limited graduate supply.

Top-paying metros in Massachusetts

Massachusetts-area metropolitan areas with the highest dental hygienist medians.

Massachusetts metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $102,400

Massachusetts ranks #6 of 50 states

Where Massachusetts sits in the national distribution for dental hygienist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Massachusetts
#5 Washington $113,110 +$1,880
#4 New York $113,110 +$1,880
#3 District of Columbia $114,050 +$2,820
#6 Massachusetts (this page) $111,230 —
#7 Oregon $109,340 −$1,890
#8 Hawaii $106,510 −$4,720
#9 Connecticut $106,510 −$4,720
See all 50 states →

Find Dental Hygienist programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

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Education path for Massachusetts

The typical path is a associate degree + state license (some bs), taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $12,000 (community college) to $65,000 (private accelerated). On the Massachusetts median of $111,230, payback periods are typically 0.8 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Hygienist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Massachusetts selected.

Dental Hygienist salary in Massachusetts — FAQ

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts?
The median dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts is $111,230 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $74,320; the top 10% earn $146,030 or more. About 5,660 people work in this role across the state.
How does Massachusetts dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts's median of $111,230 is $16,970 above the U.S. national median of $94,260. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 110.6), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $100,570.
Where does Massachusetts pay dental hygienists the most?
Top-paying metros in Massachusetts include Boston-Cambridge-Newton at $102,400. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is dental hygienist a good career in Massachusetts?
On the data: Massachusetts employs roughly 5,660 dental hygienists, with a median wage of $111,230 and the top decile clearing $146,030. The role is projected to grow +9% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Massachusetts?
At the Massachusetts median of $111,230 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $53.48/hr. The top 10% earn around $70.21/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $35.73/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Massachusetts-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1292: Dental Hygienists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Massachusetts's RPP is 110.6 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.