Dental Hygienist Salary in Amherst Town, MA: $102,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Amherst Town, MA earns a median $102,778/year (≈ $49.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Amherst Town's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.2), that paycheck buys what $102,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With around 130 dental hygienists employed in Amherst Town, the job market reflects a stable demand for professionals in this field. This demand translates into a competitive median annual salary of $102,778, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946 for 2026. The local salary range spans from $87,856 at the lower end (P10) to $106,147 at the higher end (P90), indicating a healthy compensation structure based on experience and responsibilities. These figures are drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting the economic conditions and demand for dental hygiene services in the region. The local market offers an opportunity for growth, with an annual growth rate projected at 4.94%, suggesting that the field continues to attract new talent while retaining seasoned professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,856 | $42.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,832 | $47.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,778 | $49.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,265 | $50.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,147 | $51.03 |
Median Salary Position
0.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst Town
In Amherst Town, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,291 (2026 est.). At $102,778, the local median is 0.16% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst Town: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Amherst Town Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Amherst Town median: $102,778/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Town Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,132 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -0.16% less |
Dental Hygienists in Amherst Town, MA earn a median of $102,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.16% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,132.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst Town has a cost of living 0.24% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst Town, MA has a cost-of-living index of 100.243 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,778 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,529 — a 0.24% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$76,964
2025 BLS Actual
$97,940
2026 Current Est.
$102,778
2020–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Amherst Town (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $76,964 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,683 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,267 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,387 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,855 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst Town metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 27.3% from $76,964 (2020) to $97,940 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,855 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,891 (40.14%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst Town 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) | $87,856 – $98,832 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,832 – $102,778 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,778 – $105,265 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,265 – $106,147 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Amherst Town
Amherst Town's dental hygienist pay is influenced not only by the number of employed individuals but also by the local cost of living, which is slightly elevated with a cost of living index of 100.243. This situation often pressures take-home pay as housing and daily expenses are marginally higher than average. Among employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental and Aspen are seen as competitive payers, particularly offering sign-on bonuses which attract new graduates. In contrast, solo dental practices might offer lower salaries and fewer benefits, such as health insurance. Factors contributing to the pay variation include production-based bonuses linked to periodontal care and patient retention. Maximizing pay in Amherst Town involves seeking positions within DSOs, negotiating for higher starting salaries, and considering work schedules that balance income potential with quality of life.
More salary data for Amherst Town, 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 $97,940 for dental hygienistsin the Amherst Town 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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