Dental Hygienist Salary in Brookline, MA: $100,990 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Brookline, MA earns a median $100,990/year (≈ $48.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Brookline's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $93,078 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookline, Massachusetts, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is estimated to reach $100,990, reflecting the area's robust demand for qualified dental care professionals. This figure is slightly below the national median of $102,946 for the same year. The salary range for dental hygienists in Brookline is notable, spanning from $78,217 at the 10th percentile to as much as $128,366 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight the competitive landscape for dental hygienist pay Brookline MA offers. Given Brookline's proximity to Boston and its affluent demographic, the local market continues to support favorable compensation for dental hygienists, making it an attractive destination for both established professionals and new graduates.
About the Brookline Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,217 | $37.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,124 | $41.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,990 | $48.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,494 | $54.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,366 | $61.72 |
Median Salary Position
1.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookline
In Brookline, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,149 (2026 est.). At $100,990, the local median is 1.9% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookline Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Brookline median: $100,990/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,113 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -1.90% less |
Dental Hygienists in Brookline, MA earn a median of $100,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.90% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,113.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookline has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookline, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,990 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,078 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$83,506
2025 BLS Actual
$96,236
2026 Current Est.
$100,990
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Brookline (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $83,506 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,471 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,291 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,751 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,990 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,979 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookline metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $83,506 (2020) to $96,236 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,979 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,473 (26.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookline metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,217 – $86,124 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,124 – $100,990 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,990 – $113,494 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,494 – $128,366 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Brookline
The local job market for dental hygienists in Brookline consists of 13 employed professionals, which suggests a niche yet stable demand. With a cost of living index of 108.5, salaries here reflect the higher expenses associated with suburban life near a major city. Among various employers, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations, such as Heartland and Aspen, tend to offer the most competitive pay, often complemented by benefits packages that private practices may not provide. The disparity in salaries can also be influenced by production-based incentives tied to patient retention and the frequency of periodontal care visits. To maximize pay, dental hygienists in Brookline should consider seeking employment in these higher-paying settings and may benefit from negotiating for benefits that enhance overall compensation, particularly when transitioning from private practices to larger dental groups or DSOs.
More salary data for Brookline, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Brookline, MA in 2026?
Is Brookline, MA a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Brookline?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Brookline?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Brookline?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $96,236 for dental hygienistsin the Brookline metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookline is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov