Dental Hygienist Salary in Boston, MA
Dental Hygienists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $101,990 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,700 take-home, or $6,308 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dental hygienist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,608
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,323
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,479
- Massachusetts income tax$4,880
- Take-home pay$75,700
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Dental Hygienist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,860 | $46.09 | $71,695 | $5,975 |
| 25th percentile | $98,480 | $47.35 | $73,407 | $6,117 |
| Median (50th) | $101,990 | $49.03 | $75,700 | $6,308 |
| 75th percentile | $106,820 | $51.36 | $78,857 | $6,571 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,570 | $56.52 | $85,882 | $7,157 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,990 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median dental hygienist's $75,700 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,921 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.3× the national concentration of dental hygienist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for dental hygienists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #13 of 15 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $133,740 | $102,677 | $92,391 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $146,760 | $100,249 | $86,711 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $104,930 | $82,648 | $83,797 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $123,100 | $85,463 | $81,069 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $112,630 | $81,930 | $78,161 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $101,870 | $80,496 | $78,083 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $122,980 | $86,517 | $76,182 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $102,520 | $78,599 | $76,076 |
| 13 | Boston, MA | $101,990 | $75,700 | $69,921 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 15 metros →
About the job: dental hygienists
Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Boston, MA?
The median dental hygienist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $101,990 a year, or about $49.03 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $98,480 and $106,820.
What is a dental hygienist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $101,990 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $75,700 a year ($6,308 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,880 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $98,100. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,921 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #13 of 15 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median dental hygienist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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- Registered Nurse — $106,180
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- Physical Therapist — $103,550
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $102,810
- Occupational Therapist — $101,940
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