Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Salary in Andover, MA: $98,586 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Andover, MA earns a median $98,586/year (≈ $47.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Andover's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $90,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Massachusetts state average.

$98,586
Median Annual Salary
$47.40/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$78,131
Entry Level (P10)
$120,863
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Hygienist Salary in Andover, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Andover, MA dental hygienist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Andover, Massachusetts, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $98,586, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946. This region reflects a comprehensive salary range from $78,131 at the 10th percentile to $120,863 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial potential earnings for experienced professionals. Estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted to account for the local cost of living and market dynamics. As the dental hygienist salary in Andover shows some alignment with state averages, the area's compact job market, currently employing just five dental hygienists, indicates a niche that could benefit from both fresh talent and experienced practitioners, particularly as the field sees an overall growth rate of 4.94% annually.

About the Andover Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$78,131$37.56
Lower Range (P25)$84,931$40.83
Median (P50)(typical)$98,586$47.40
Upper Range (P75)$106,573$51.24
Top Earners (P90)$120,863$58.11

Median Salary Position

$78,131$120,863
City Median: $98,586
National: $102,946
P10–P90 Range

4.24% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Andover

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental hygienists in Andover. The median salary is $98,586, compared to the national median of $102,946.$70.3K$84.5K$98.6K$112.8K$126.9K$78.1K10th Pctl$84.9K25th Pctl$98.6KMedian$106.6K75th Pctl$120.9K90th PctlUS Median$102.9K

In Andover, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,732 (2026 est.). At $98,586, the local median is 4.24% below the national median of $102,946.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental hygienist pay in the Andover metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,896
per week
$8,216
per month
$98,595
per year

At 40 hours/week in Andover: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Andover Dental Hygienist Pay Compares

Andover median: $98,586/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryAndover Pays
Massachusetts Average$104,103-5.30% less
National Average$102,946-4.24% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Andover ($98,586) with Massachusetts average ($104,103) and the US national median ($102,946).Andover$98,586Massachusetts Avg$104,103-5.30%US National$102,946-4.24%

Dental Hygienists in Andover, MA earn a median of $98,586 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.24% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,103.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$98,586
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$90,863
Adjusted Salary

Andover has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $98,586. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $90,863, a loss of $7,723.$77.2K$87.5K$97.8K$108.1K$118.4K$98,586NominalSalary$90,863CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $102.9K

Andover, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,586 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,863 — a 7.83% reduction.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

2020 BLS Actual

$81,519

2025 BLS Actual

$93,945

2026 Current Est.

$98,586

2020–2027 Growth

+26.9%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Andover (20202027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Andover. Baseline $81,519 in 2025, projected to $103,456 by 2027.$77.1K$84.8K$92.5K$100.2K$107.8K202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$81.5K$87.3K$87.2K$94.4K$90.3K$93.9K$98.6K$103.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2020$81,519Actual
2021$87,341Actual
2022$87,166Actual
2023$94,448Actual
2024$90,317Actual
2025$93,945Actual
2026(current)$98,586Estimated
2027$103,456Projected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Andover metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $81,519 (2020) to $93,945 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,456 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,937 (26.91%) from 2020.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Andover metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$78,131$84,931
3-5 years (Mid Career)$84,931$98,586
5+ years (Experienced)$98,586$106,573
10+ years (Top Earner)$106,573$120,863

RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Hygienist Job Market in Andover

The cost of living index in Andover, rated at 108.5, suggests that dental hygienists may contend with higher living expenses, impacting their overall purchasing power despite attractive salary figures. Employers such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) generally offer competitive pay packages, often enhanced with production bonuses, which can drive income variation among dental hygienists. In this local context, opportunities to optimize earnings include considering positions within DSOs like Heartland or Aspen, which frequently provide sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits. Additionally, those with flexible work schedules—such as opting for a four-day workweek—may find themselves better positioned for financial rewards, given the demand for work-life balance in today’s workforce. Understanding these dynamics will be vital for professionals contemplating their career strategies in Andover, MA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Andover, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental hygienist salary in Andover is $98,586/year ($47.40/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Salaries range from $78,131 at entry level (10th percentile) to $120,863 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Andover at 4.2% below the national median. Full-time dental hygienists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Andover, MA a good place to work as a dental hygienist?

Andover dental hygienist salaries are 4.2% below the national average and 5.3% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 5 dental hygienists. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental hygienists make $100K in Andover?

Top-earning dental hygienists in Andover (90th percentile) make $120,863/year, which exceeds $100K. The median is $98,586. To reach six figures, dental hygienists typically need 5–10+ years of experience combined with specialty certifications and expanded-function credentials.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Andover?

After adjusting for Andover's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $98,586 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $90,863 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Andover reduce the effective value of your salary by 7.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Andover?

Dental Hygienists in Andover earn a median hourly rate of $47.40, which translates to approximately $98,586/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $37.56 for entry-level positions to $58.11 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental hygienists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

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

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 $93,945 for dental hygienistsin the Andover 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 Andover is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: