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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
4.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Andover
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Andover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,103 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -4.24% less |
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
Andover has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
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.
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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 (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $81,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,341 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,166 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,448 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,317 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,945 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,586 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,456 | Projected |
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 (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Andover 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) | $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.
More salary data for Andover, 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 $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).
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