Dental Hygienist Salary in Dartmouth, MA: $101,422 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Dartmouth, MA earns a median $101,422/year (≈ $48.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Dartmouth's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $93,476 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career in dental hygiene, the 2026 median salary in Dartmouth, Massachusetts is projected at $101,422. This compensation reflects a salary range that spans from $76,712 at the 10th percentile to $129,612 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the local cost of living, illustrate an opportunity for dental hygienists to earn a competitive income within the regional market. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, which is slightly above the national average, the purchasing power for dental hygienists in Dartmouth presents both challenges and opportunities. The local job market for this profession comprises five dental hygienists, contributing to a tighter employment sphere that can affect the dynamics of salary negotiations.
About the Dartmouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,712 | $36.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,667 | $40.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,422 | $48.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,158 | $54.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,612 | $62.31 |
Median Salary Position
1.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dartmouth
In Dartmouth, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,900 (2026 est.). At $101,422, the local median is 1.48% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dartmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dartmouth Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Dartmouth median: $101,422/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dartmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,130 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -1.48% less |
Dental Hygienists in Dartmouth, MA earn a median of $101,422 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,130.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dartmouth has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dartmouth, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,422 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,476 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$83,864
2025 BLS Actual
$96,648
2026 Current Est.
$101,422
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Dartmouth (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $83,864 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,673 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,165 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,642 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,648 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,422 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,433 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dartmouth metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $83,864 (2020) to $96,648 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,569 (26.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dartmouth 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) | $76,712 – $84,667 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,667 – $101,422 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,422 – $113,158 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,158 – $129,612 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Dartmouth
Examining the local employment landscape reveals a distinct opportunity to maximize earnings in Dartmouth, MA. The majority of dental hygienists work in private practices, and those employed by large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to receive higher pay due to structured bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages. In contrast, smaller, solo practices may offer fewer benefits, affecting overall compensation. Factors influencing salary disparities include production-based bonuses, work schedules, and the nature of the employer, with many DSOs providing sign-on bonuses for new graduates. With the anticipated growth rate of 4.94% over the next five years, prospective dental hygienists should explore diverse employment options, be prepared to negotiate their compensation packages, and consider joining larger practices or DSOs to enhance their professional prospects and earning potential in the dental hygienist pay in Dartmouth.
More salary data for Dartmouth, 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 $96,648 for dental hygienistsin the Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth 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