Dental Hygienist Pay

Boston vs Haverhill: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Boston, MA and Haverhill, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$107,028
$51.45/hr
Haverhill, MA
$104,436
$50.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAHaverhill, MA
Median Salary$107,028$104,436
Hourly Rate$51.45$50.21
Entry Level (P10)$100,595$77,691
25th Percentile$103,345$86,988
75th Percentile$112,097$115,291
Top Earner (P90)$123,378$129,287
Total Employed5,15016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($107,028) and Haverhill ($104,436) dental hygienist salaries.BostonHaverhillMedian Salary$107,028$104,436Entry Level (P10)$100,595$77,691Top Earner (P90)$123,378$129,287US Median $102,946

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Haverhill.

The salary gap between Boston and Haverhill is $2,592 (2.48%). Boston's median is +3.97% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $22,783,Haverhill spans $51,596. Haverhill has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$100,595
P25$103,345
Median$107,028
P75$112,097
P90 (Top)$123,378
Haverhill
P10 (Entry)$77,691
P25$86,988
Median$104,436
P75$115,291
P90 (Top)$129,287

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($98,857 effective) pays 2.70% more than Haverhill ($96,254 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $107,028
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $98,857
Haverhill
Nominal: $104,436
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $96,254

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,028/year)
  • Larger job market (5,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,857)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Haverhill if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($129,287)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Boston grew 18.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 15.2% growth in Haverhill over the same period.

Boston, MA

+18.0%

$86,450 (2020) → $101,990 (2025)

Haverhill, MA

+15.2%

$86,357 (2020) → $99,520 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Boston or Haverhill?

Boston has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $107,028/year, compared to Haverhill at $104,436/year — a difference of $2,592 (2.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Haverhill?

Boston dental hygienists earn $51.45/hr while Haverhill hygienists earn $50.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Haverhill as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Haverhill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $98,857, Haverhill = $96,254), job availability (5,150 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Boston vs Haverhill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $100,595 in Boston and $77,691 in Haverhill. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov