PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Dental Assistant - Entry Level
Aspen Dental · Worcester, MA
$20.00–$24.00/ hour
Dental Assistant jobs in Worcester, MA
The median dental assistant pay in the Worcester area is $24.11 per hour ($50,140 a year), with the typical range running from $23.49 to $29.25. That ranks 48th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 147th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Worcester. The free report below lists employers near Worcester and what they pay.
- $24.11median pay per hour, Worcester
- $23–$29typical range per hour
- 940dental assistants employed in the metro area
- 1open roles with published pay
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Named employers near Worcester, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportDental Assistant pay in Worcester, MA
The metro median is 13% below the Massachusetts statewide median of $27.86 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 940 dental assistants employed in the Worcester metro area, 2.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.10).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $21.97 | $45,700 | 3% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $23.49 | $48,860 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Median | $24.11 | $50,140 | 6% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $29.25 | $60,840 | 29% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $30.21 | $62,840 | 33% above U.S. median |
How Worcester ranks
- 48th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 147th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 3rd 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 Worcester
- Overall prices in Worcester run 3% above the U.S. average (index 102.5, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 13% above the U.S. average (index 113.0).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $24.11 median hour buys what $23.52 buys at the national price level, 3% 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 Worcester paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$868
- Per year: $43,398
- Per month: $3,616
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Worcester metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Worcester County
HRSA lists 6 active dental health shortage designations that include Worcester County (6 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 18 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
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Framingham, MA | 19 mi | $28.15/hr | 73,361 |
| Waltham, MA | 30 mi | $28.15/hr | 65,849 |
| Newton, MA | 31 mi | $28.15/hr | 90,700 |
| Pawtucket, RI | 35 mi | $23.26/hr | 76,996 |
| Lowell, MA | 36 mi | $28.15/hr | 120,418 |
| Cambridge, MA | 36 mi | $28.15/hr | 121,186 |
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.
Other healthcare roles in Worcester
Worcester city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental assistants make in Worcester, MA?
Dental Assistants in the Worcester metro area have a median pay of $24.11 per hour, about $50,140 a year. The middle half earn between $23.49 and $29.25 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Worcester a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?
Worcester ranks 147th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 48th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 3% above the U.S. average.
Who is hiring dental assistants in Worcester?
We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Worcester. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Worcester.
Do I need a Massachusetts license to work in Worcester 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 Worcester in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 6 active dental health shortage designations that include Worcester 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 Worcester?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Worcester and across Massachusetts. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Worcester.
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What do employers near Worcester pay dental assistants? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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140+ Dental Assistant roles in Massachusetts, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dental Assistant pay reportWorcester, 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
- Dental Assistant - EndodontistPermanent$30.00–$38.00/ hour
- Dental Assistant (with RDA)Permanent$28.00–$32.00/ hour
+ 26 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.