Dental Assistant salary in Massachusetts
Dental Assistants in Massachusetts earn a median of $27.86 per hour, about $57,960 a year, 23% above the U.S. median of $22.74. The middle half earn between $23.62 and $29.42 per hour. The highest median among Massachusetts metro areas is in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, at $28.15 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $27.86median pay per hour
- $57,960median pay per year
- 9,250dental assistants employed in Massachusetts
- #2of 50 states by median pay
Dental Assistant pay in Massachusetts: percentiles
| Level | Massachusetts per hour | Massachusetts per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $23.02 | $47,880 | $17.40 |
| Lower quartile | $23.62 | $49,130 | $19.00 |
| Median | $27.86 | $57,960 | $22.74 |
| Upper quartile | $29.42 | $61,190 | $27.36 |
| Top 10% | $34.28 | $71,300 | $29.70 |
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Massachusetts median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $28.15 | $58,560 | 6,820 | 1% above | $26.00 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $26.58 | $55,290 | 250 | 5% below | — |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $24.17 | $50,280 | 160 | 13% below | $24.11 |
| Worcester, MA | $24.11 | $50,140 | 940 | 13% below | $23.52 |
| Springfield, MA | $23.65 | $49,200 | 630 | 15% below | $24.62 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $23.55 | $48,980 | 130 | 15% below | $24.76 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Dental Assistant pay in states next to Massachusetts
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $24.43 | $50,820 | 12% below Massachusetts |
| New Hampshire | $24.17 | $50,260 | 13% below Massachusetts |
| New York | $22.61 | $47,020 | 19% below Massachusetts |
| Rhode Island | $23.11 | $48,060 | 17% below Massachusetts |
| Vermont | $24.53 | $51,020 | 12% below Massachusetts |
What employers are posting in Massachusetts
- 28roles with published pay
- $24.88median pay per hour
- $20–$30typical published range
- 5employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental | 19 | $25 |
| PDS Health | 5 | $24.88 |
| Smile Brands | 2 | $26.25 |
| Mass General Brigham | 1 | $22.58 |
| Boston Medical Center | 1 | $25.72 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 28 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Dental Assistant jobs in Massachusetts · Dental Assistant salary nationwide · Massachusetts state guide
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Massachusetts?
The median is $27.86 per hour, about $57,960 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $23.02 and the top 10% earn over $34.28 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Massachusetts city pays dental assistants the most?
Among Massachusetts metro areas, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has the highest median at $28.15 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Massachusetts rank for dental assistant pay?
Massachusetts ranks 2nd of 50 states by median dental assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you 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.
- 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.
Get your free pay report
140+ Dental Assistant roles in Massachusetts, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Dental Assistant pay reportMassachusetts · 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
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.