Dental Hygienist Salary in Medford, MA: $102,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Medford, MA earns a median $102,886/year (≈ $49.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Medford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $94,826 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Medford, Massachusetts, the market for dental hygienists is marked by a robust median annual salary of $102,886 for 2026, closely aligning with the national median of $102,946. This competitive figure falls within a salary range that spans from $82,610 (at the 10th percentile) to $134,299 (at the 90th percentile), indicating a healthy market for skilled professionals in this field. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reflect the ongoing demand for dental hygiene services in Medford. Notably, the local employment count stands at just 11 dental hygienists, suggesting a niche yet potentially growing job market where both opportunities and competition can shape compensation dynamics.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,610 | $39.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,013 | $43.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,886 | $49.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,802 | $53.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,299 | $64.57 |
Median Salary Position
0.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,689 (2026 est.). At $102,886, the local median is 0.06% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Medford median: $102,886/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,136 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -0.06% less |
Dental Hygienists in Medford, MA earn a median of $102,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.06% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,136.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,886 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,826 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$85,075
2025 BLS Actual
$98,043
2026 Current Est.
$102,886
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Medford (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $85,075 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,151 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,968 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,568 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,305 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,043 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,969 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $85,075 (2020) to $98,043 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,894 (26.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $82,610 – $90,013 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,013 – $102,886 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,886 – $111,802 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,802 – $134,299 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Medford
Despite the favorable median salary, the cost of living index in Medford, currently at 108.5, illustrates a reality where living expenses exceed the national average. With only 11 dental hygienists employed locally, job opportunities may be limited but could offer competitive salaries through strategic positioning. Dental hygienists seeking higher pay may find multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) to provide the best compensation, often accompanied by benefits that are not typically offered in solo practices. The variability in pay may also be influenced by factors such as production-based bonuses related to recall and recare retention, as well as employment conditions, including the flexibility of work schedules. To maximize earnings in this Medford market, aspiring dental hygienists should consider aligning their skills with employers who offer comprehensive benefits and incentives, particularly those that incentivize patient retention and efficient practice management.
More salary data for Medford, 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 $98,043 for dental hygienistsin the Medford 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 Medford 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