If you want to become a dental hygienist, the first thing you need to do is determine if this is the right career for you. If you enjoy helping people and enjoy making new friends, then this profession could be perfect for you.
Dental hygienists are an integral part of the dental team, and their scope of responsibilities is vast. It is important for those who aspire to be dental hygienists to understand that this career will take some time to settle into. However, once you make it through the learning curve, you can find that there are many opportunities for growth and promotion available to you.
Starting salaries for a dental hygienist range from $32,000 to $41,000 per year. However, your salary as a dental hygienist will vary depending on the practice you work for and your location.
Starting Salary For Dental Hygienist In Massachusetts Overview
If you’re ready to begin your career as a dental hygienist in Massachusetts, you’re going to need to know how much you can expect to earn.
Massachusetts is a great place to start a career in dentistry because it offers a variety of opportunities for aspiring dental hygienists. In fact, the state is home to nearly 40 different schools that offer programs in dental hygiene.
The average annual salary for dental hygienists in Massachusetts is $70,000. However, the exact amount depends on where you work and what type of facility you work for.
Massachusetts Dental Hygienist Salary
As is the case nationally, jobs in the field of dental hygiene are expected to increase in Massachusetts in the coming years. The state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) projects a 19.86% increase in the number of dental hygienist jobs between 2012 and 2022.
Some 97% of Massachusetts’s dental hygienists worked in healthcare services earned an average salary of $79,740 a year in 2013. Those entering the workforce earned $65,940 on average, while those with experience averaged $86,870.
Dental Hygienist Salaries in Massachusetts Workforce Investment Areas
The average 2013 Massachusetts dental hygienist salary varied a great deal between Workforce Investment Areas (WIA). For instance, dental hygienists in the Metro South/West area averaged $86,230, while those in the Berkshire County area earned $63,390 on average:
In 2012, some 5,800 dental hygienists were employed in Massachusetts. The EOLWD predicts an average of 266 dental hygiene jobs a year will become available in the state. Most of these jobs will be to replacement retirees, while 116 will be due to growth in the field.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides information on 2013 dental hygienist salary percentiles in different areas of Massachusetts
Average Dental Hygienist Salary in Massachusetts
| State | Employed Dental Hygienists | Hourly Rate (average) | Salary (average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, Massachusetts | 250 | $40.25 | $83,720.00 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | 4,260 | $40.87 | $85,020.00 |
| Leominster, Massachusetts | 100 | $38.75 | $80,610.00 |
| New Bedford, Massachusetts | 140 | $40.27 | $83,760.00 |
| Pittsfield, Massachusetts | 80 | $37.04 | $77,030.00 |
| Springfield, Massachusetts | 590 | $40.37 | $83,970.00 |
| Worcester, Massachusetts | 310 | $43.13 | $89,720.00 |
| Data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
Top Massachusetts Metros for Dental Hygienists
The table below shows some of the metros in this state with the most Dental Hygienists.
| Metro | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 4,410 | $85,890 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,290 | $74,080 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 710 | $87,390 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 500 | $73,950 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 320 | $81,120 |
| Leominster-Gardner, MA | 140 | $78,900 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 40 | $77,390 |
Top States for Dental Hygienists Employment
View the list below to see where most Dental Hygienists work.
| State | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | 22,240 | $102,510 |
| Texas | 13,850 | $75,640 |
| New York | 11,300 | $77,210 |
| Florida | 11,110 | $66,470 |
| Pennsylvania | 9,640 | $66,070 |
| Michigan | 9,510 | $64,660 |
| Illinois | 9,450 | $74,210 |
| Ohio | 8,930 | $69,140 |
| Georgia | 6,910 | $66,330 |
| North Carolina | 6,670 | $70,720 |
| New Jersey | 6,290 | $88,300 |
| Washington | 6,010 | $92,820 |
| Virginia | 5,990 | $81,240 |
| Massachusetts | 5,900 | $83,880 |
| Minnesota | 5,160 | $73,740 |
| Indiana | 4,900 | $69,700 |
| Wisconsin | 4,810 | $66,180 |
| Colorado | 4,470 | $86,850 |
| Connecticut | 3,990 | $87,890 |
| Missouri | 3,960 | $70,080 |
Below are the states where Dental Hygienists get paid the most:
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $116,730 |
| California | $102,510 |
| Washington | $92,820 |
| Arizona | $89,540 |
| Maryland | $89,380 |
| New Jersey | $88,300 |
| Connecticut | $87,890 |
| Nevada | $87,850 |
| Colorado | $86,850 |
| Oregon | $86,160 |
