Dental Hygienist Salary in Cambridge, MA: $104,472 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Cambridge, MA earns a median $104,472/year (≈ $50.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $96,288 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, dental hygienists can expect a competitive median annual salary of $104,472 in 2026, slightly exceeding the national figure of $102,946. This bolstered salary can be appreciated within the context of the local job market, where approximately 22 dental hygienists are employed. With a salary range stretching from $75,748 at the 10th percentile to $134,680 at the 90th percentile, the figures reflect a robust demand for qualified professionals and indicate potential opportunities for growth in this well-educated city. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data showcase how factors like location and cost of living effectively shape this dental hygienist pay in Cambridge MA, hinting at a favorable climate for career advancement.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,748 | $36.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,505 | $41.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,472 | $50.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,810 | $55.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,680 | $64.75 |
Median Salary Position
1.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,932 (2026 est.). At $104,472, the local median is 1.48% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cambridge Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $104,472/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,159 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +1.48% more |
Dental Hygienists in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $104,472 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $104,159.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,472 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,288 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$84,880
2025 BLS Actual
$99,554
2026 Current Est.
$104,472
2020–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Cambridge (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $84,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,943 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,343 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,623 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,472 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,633 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 17.3% from $84,880 (2020) to $99,554 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,633 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,753 (29.16%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $75,748 – $85,505 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,505 – $104,472 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,472 – $115,810 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,810 – $134,680 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Cambridge
Considering the local job market, the employment of 22 dental hygienists highlights the demand and opportunities for practitioners in Cambridge. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing power for dental hygienists in the area may be slightly impacted, suggesting that income adjustments may be necessary for a comfortable standard of living. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen often provide the most competitive pay due to their benefits packages and production-driven bonuses. The pay scale drives a notable difference based on practice types, with flexible scheduling and performance-based incentives playing significant roles. For those entering the field or looking to maximize their dental hygienist salary in Cambridge, pursuing opportunities with DSOs or private practices that value comprehensive benefits could prove advantageous, especially given the current reshaping of pay structures within the industry.
More salary data for Cambridge, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $99,554 for dental hygienistsin the Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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