Dental Hygienist Salary in Chelsea, MA: $103,168 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Chelsea, MA earns a median $103,168/year (≈ $49.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Chelsea's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $95,086 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Chelsea, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $103,168, which is slightly above the national median of $102,946. This salary reflects a range from $80,864 for the lowest 10 percent to $125,294 for the highest 90 percent. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost of living disparities. Given that Chelsea has a cost of living index of 108.5, indicating it is more expensive than the national average, the real purchasing power of this salary may fluctuate. A competitive dental hygienist pay in Chelsea MA indicates a favorable job outlook, especially considering the 4.94% growth rate expected over the next five years.
About the Chelsea Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,864 | $38.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,295 | $42.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,168 | $49.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,038 | $53.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,294 | $60.24 |
Median Salary Position
0.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelsea
In Chelsea, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,430 (2026 est.). At $103,168, the local median is 0.22% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelsea: You'd be above the median
How Chelsea Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Chelsea median: $103,168/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelsea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,105 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +0.22% more |
Dental Hygienists in Chelsea, MA earn a median of $103,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.22% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,105.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelsea has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelsea, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,168 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,086 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$85,307
2025 BLS Actual
$98,311
2026 Current Est.
$103,168
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Chelsea (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $85,307 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,216 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,837 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,144 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,311 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,168 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,264 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelsea metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $85,307 (2020) to $98,311 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,264 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,957 (26.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelsea 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) | $80,864 – $88,295 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,295 – $103,168 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,168 – $111,038 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,038 – $125,294 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Chelsea
Currently, there are six dental hygienists employed in Chelsea, which speaks to a niche but potentially stable job market. The cost of living can significantly impact how far a salary stretches, especially with housing and everyday expenses rising. Within the local employment landscape, those working in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland or Aspen may find more attractive compensation packages, including sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits. This can contrast with private practices, where the benefits may be minimal or non-existent. The variation in pay often hinges on factors like production-based bonuses relating to patient retention or the number of days worked per week. For hygienists aiming to maximize their earnings in Chelsea, pursuing employment at a DSO or negotiating better terms at smaller practices can be effective strategies. Additionally, understanding the demand for specialized services such as periodontal care may provide leverage for higher pay in this market.
More salary data for Chelsea, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $98,311 for dental hygienistsin the Chelsea 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 Chelsea 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