MA · Lawrence · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Lawrence, MA

The median dental assistant pay in the Lawrence area is $28.15 per hour ($58,560 a year), with the typical range running from $23.71 to $29.66. That ranks 17th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 31st of 339 once local prices are factored in. 10 open roles with published pay are listed for Lawrence and its metro area. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Lawrence.

Open Dental Assistant roles near Lawrence

Roles in other cities of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area.

PermanentPosted 10 days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Medford, MA

$18.00–$28.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-012499
View role
PermanentPosted 14 days ago

Dental Assistant

PDS Health · Waltham, MA

$20.75–$29.00/ hour
  • Waltham Modern Dentistry
  • Req 112407
View role
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Brockton, MA

$25.00–$27.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-009832
View role
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Somersworth, NH

$22.00–$25.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2025-013793
View role
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Woburn, MA

$20.00–$25.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-009074
View role
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Mass General Brigham · Dover, NH

$17.71–$24.40/ hour
  • Req RQ4078686
View role

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Named employers near Lawrence, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Who is hiring dental assistants near Lawrence

EmployerRolesMedian pay / hour
Aspen Dental6$22.75
Mass General Brigham2$21.81
PDS Health1$24.88
Boston Medical Center1$25.72

Dental Assistant pay in Lawrence, MA

The metro median is 1% above the Massachusetts statewide median of $27.86 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 6,820 dental assistants employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area, 2.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.03).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$23.43$48,7303% above U.S. median
Lower quartile$23.71$49,3204% above U.S. median
Median$28.15$58,56024% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$29.66$61,69030% above U.S. median
Top 10%$34.34$71,43051% above U.S. median

How Lawrence ranks

  • 17th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 31st of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 1st of 5 Massachusetts metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Lawrence

  • Overall prices in Boston-Cambridge-Newton run 8% above the U.S. average (index 108.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 48% above the U.S. average (index 148.4).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $28.15 median hour buys what $26.00 buys at the national price level, 14% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Lawrence paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,013
  • Per year: $50,670
  • Per month: $4,222

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Essex County

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Essex County (3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 21 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Haverhill, MA7 mi$28.15/hr68,291
Lowell, MA9 mi$28.15/hr120,418
Nashua, NH17 mi$26.97/hr91,851

Dental Assistant jobs in Massachusetts · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Massachusetts

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Massachusetts requires for your role with the Massachusetts licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Massachusetts taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Massachusetts state guide

Other healthcare roles in Lawrence

Lawrence city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Lawrence, MA?

Dental Assistants in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area have a median pay of $28.15 per hour, about $58,560 a year. The middle half earn between $23.71 and $29.66 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Lawrence a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Boston-Cambridge-Newton ranks 31st of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 17th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% above the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Lawrence?

We list 10 open roles with published pay from 4 employers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Lawrence.

Do I need a Massachusetts license to work in Lawrence as a dental assistant?

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Massachusetts requires for your role with the Massachusetts licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Lawrence in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Essex County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Lawrence?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Lawrence and across Massachusetts. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Lawrence.

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What do employers near Lawrence pay dental assistants? Get the report.

Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.

  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

  3. 3
    Roles open for you right now

    Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Lawrence, MA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportLawrence, MA · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Smile BrandsEast Harwich, MA · 2 postings$26.25/ hr$20–$32
  • Aspen DentalWest Springfield, MA · 19 postings$25.00/ hr$18–$38
  • PDS HealthWatertown, MA · 5 postings$24.88/ hr$20–$30

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$20Median$24.88High$30

28 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Massachusetts, 14 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 28 Dental Assistant roles

  1. Dental Assistant - EndodontistPermanent
    $30.00–$38.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · West Springfield, MA · posted yesterday
  2. Dental Assistant (with RDA)Permanent
    $28.00–$32.00/ hour
    Smile Brands · East Harwich, MA · posted yesterday

+ 26 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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