Dental Hygienist Salary in Lawrence, MA: $101,542 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lawrence, MA earns a median $101,542/year (≈ $48.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $93,587 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a dental hygienist in Lawrence, Massachusetts, is $101,542, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946. With salaries ranging from $79,515 at the 10th percentile to $130,156 at the 90th percentile, there is a broad spectrum of earning potential in this city. These figures are derived from state-level data projected based on 2025 BLS estimates and are adjusted for local cost of living—Lawrence has a cost of living index of 108.5, indicating that the cost of goods and services is higher than the national average. Given the city's competitive job market, with 16 dental hygienists currently employed, Lawrence offers a solid compensation framework that reflects local economic conditions and market demand.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,515 | $38.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,248 | $41.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,542 | $48.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,768 | $55.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,156 | $62.58 |
Median Salary Position
1.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,641 (2026 est.). At $101,542, the local median is 1.36% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $101,542/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,146 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -1.36% less |
Dental Hygienists in Lawrence, MA earn a median of $101,542 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.36% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,146.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,542 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,587 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$83,963
2025 BLS Actual
$96,762
2026 Current Est.
$101,542
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lawrence (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $83,963 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,476 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,762 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,542 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,558 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $83,963 (2020) to $96,762 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,558 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,595 (26.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $79,515 – $87,248 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,248 – $101,542 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,542 – $114,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,768 – $130,156 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lawrence
The dental hygienist pay in Lawrence, MA, is influenced by various factors including employment settings and potential bonuses. Practices such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen often provide the highest compensation, frequently coupled with incentives like sign-on bonuses for recent graduates or those transitioning from other roles. Additionally, factors such as schedule flexibility—working four versus five days a week—and production-based bonuses can cause significant variations in earnings among dental hygienists. The elevated cost of living can affect real purchasing power, making it crucial for professionals to negotiate benefits and maximize opportunities for higher pay. Emerging trends, including consolidation within the industry, create a dynamic environment, and those in the field should remain informed about various practice settings to fully leverage their earning potential in Lawrence.
More salary data for Lawrence, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Lawrence?
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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 $96,762 for dental hygienistsin the Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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