Dental Assistant Salaries in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the smallest states in the country, but it’s the fifth most densely populated state. The Bay State has a high rate of insurance enrollment, and residents are becoming more and more proactive about their healthcare, including the care of their teeth. This creates many opportunities for dental assistants and other trained professionals in the healthcare industry.
Occupational projections indicate that employment of dental assistants in Massachusetts between 2016 and 2026 is expected to increase approximately 6.3 percent. There’s an average of 980 job openings for dental assistants each year in this state.
To become a dental assistant in Massachusetts, you must complete an accredited dental assisting program and pass both the state and national exams. After completing your training and passing the exams, you will need to apply for a license from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry.
Dental assistants in Massachusetts work in a variety of settings, including private dental practices, public health clinics, hospitals, and research facilities. They perform a variety of duties, such as taking X-rays, preparing patients for dental procedures, sterilizing instruments, and providing patient education.
Dental assistants in Massachusetts typically earn more than the average salaries paid to professionals in this field across the country.
| AreaName | Base Year | Employed | Projection Year | Projected Employment | Change | % Change | Projected Average Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2018 | 346,000 | 2026 | 384,700 | 38,700 | 19.5% | 44,800 |
| Massachusetts | 2016 | 8,320 | 2026 | 8,840 | 520 | 6.3% | 980 |
| State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
| Massachusetts | 8,430 | $23.45 | $48,770 | $34,970 | $41,010 | $48,450 | $56,690 | $63,910 |
More than half of the total population of Massachusetts lives in the Greater Boston area, leading to the largest number of jobs in the Boston and Cambridge areas. Highest paid jobs are usually found in the Boston, Cambridge and Worcester areas. Lowest salaries for Massachusetts dental assistants are in the New Bedford and Pittsfield areas.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | 270 | $22.53 | $46,860 | $36,860 | $42,470 | $46,760 | $51,240 | $58,940 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 6070 | $24.15 | $50,220 | $35,440 | $41,980 | $49,890 | $58,850 | $66,220 |
| Leominster-Gardner, MA | 160 | $22.80 | $47,420 | $35,320 | $39,640 | $46,630 | $54,030 | $62,260 |
| New Bedford, MA | ** | $19.66 | $40,900 | $32,020 | $35,690 | $42,030 | $47,210 | $50,430 |
| Pittsfield, MA | ** | $20.53 | $42,700 | $35,010 | $39,110 | $43,200 | $47,500 | $50,170 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1110 | $22.10 | $45,960 | $34,520 | $39,450 | $45,740 | $52,750 | $60,170 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 1030 | $20.76 | $43,190 | $33,230 | $37,710 | $43,690 | $49,240 | $53,870 |
| Worcester, MA-CT | 790 | $23.60 | $49,100 | $36,600 | $42,660 | $49,690 | $55,430 | $61,120 |
Healthcare careers can be rewarding and well-compensated. Dental assistants are among the highest paid healthcare professionals in Massachusetts, typically earning more than medical assistants, pharmacy technicians and dental assistants but less than physical therapist assistants.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 9150 | $18.06 | $37,570 | $26,410 | $29,670 | $35,660 | $43,490 | $50,880 |
| Nursing Assistants | 39900 | $16.84 | $35,040 | $26,960 | $29,450 | $33,810 | $38,720 | $44,930 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 2520 | $30.92 | $64,310 | $45,150 | $56,530 | $65,280 | $75,370 | $81,750 |
| Dental Assistants | 8430 | $23.45 | $48,770 | $34,970 | $41,010 | $48,450 | $56,690 | $63,910 |
| Medical Assistants | 14990 | $20.09 | $41,780 | $31,960 | $35,430 | $40,770 | $47,800 | $53,100 |