Dental Hygienist Salary in Waltham, MA: $101,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Waltham, MA earns a median $101,320/year (≈ $48.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Waltham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $93,382 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waltham, Massachusetts, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $101,320 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946. Within the local market, salaries range from $78,991 at the lower 10th percentile to $129,433 at the upper 90th percentile, indicating a significant spread that reflects varying levels of experience and workplace settings. These figures are adjusted for the local cost of living, which stands at a cost of living index of 108.5, above the national average. This adjustment is essential as it impacts the real purchasing power of dental hygienist pay in Waltham MA. The job market here remains competitive, suggesting ongoing demand for skilled professionals in this field.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,991 | $37.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,794 | $41.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,320 | $48.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,253 | $54.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,433 | $62.23 |
Median Salary Position
1.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waltham
In Waltham, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,442 (2026 est.). At $101,320, the local median is 1.58% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waltham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waltham Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Waltham median: $101,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waltham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,131 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -1.58% less |
Dental Hygienists in Waltham, MA earn a median of $101,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.58% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,131.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waltham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waltham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,320 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,382 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$83,779
2025 BLS Actual
$96,550
2026 Current Est.
$101,320
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Waltham (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $83,779 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,763 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,583 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,067 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,096 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,325 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waltham metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $83,779 (2020) to $96,550 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,325 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,546 (26.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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) | $78,991 – $86,794 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,794 – $101,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,320 – $114,253 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,253 – $129,433 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Waltham
The local job market for dental hygienists is fairly robust, with 11 professionals currently employed in Waltham. The higher-than-average cost of living can affect overall take-home pay, especially for those in private practice who may lack comprehensive benefits. Among different employment types, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer higher compensation, often accompanied by benefits packages and sign-on bonuses that can significantly enhance overall earnings. Factors such as production-based bonuses linked to patient recall and scheduling flexibility—like a four-day versus a five-day workweek—create variability in earnings potential. To maximize pay in Waltham, dental hygienists should consider these dynamics, exploring opportunities in well-established DSOs while also keeping an eye on private practices that can offer unique advantages despite potential drawbacks in benefits. Understanding these nuances will better position dental hygienists to negotiate their pay effectively.
More salary data for Waltham, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $96,550 for dental hygienistsin the Waltham 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 Waltham 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