Dental Hygienist Pay

Andover vs Springfield: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Andover, MA and Springfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Andover, MA
$98,586
$47.40/hr
Springfield, MA
$102,442
$49.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAndover, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$98,586$102,442
Hourly Rate$47.40$49.25
Entry Level (P10)$78,131$87,992
25th Percentile$84,931$100,826
75th Percentile$106,573$103,754
Top Earner (P90)$120,863$105,087
Total Employed5380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Andover ($98,586) and Springfield ($102,442) dental hygienist salaries.AndoverSpringfieldMedian Salary$98,586$102,442Entry Level (P10)$78,131$87,992Top Earner (P90)$120,863$105,087US Median $102,946

Verdict

Springfield, MA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Andover.

The salary gap between Andover and Springfield is $3,856 (3.91%). Springfield's median is -0.49% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Andover spans $42,732,Springfield spans $17,095. Andover has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Andover
P10 (Entry)$78,131
P25$84,931
Median$98,586
P75$106,573
P90 (Top)$120,863
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$87,992
P25$100,826
Median$102,442
P75$103,754
P90 (Top)$105,087

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($106,643 effective) pays 17.37% more than Andover ($90,863 effective).

Andover
Nominal: $98,586
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $90,863
Springfield
Nominal: $102,442
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $106,643

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Andover if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($120,863)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,442/year)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,643)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Andover grew 15.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 17.7% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Andover, MA

+15.2%

$81,519 (2020) → $93,945 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+17.7%

$82,970 (2020) → $97,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Andover or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $102,442/year, compared to Andover at $98,586/year — a difference of $3,856 (3.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Andover and Springfield?

Andover dental hygienists earn $47.40/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $49.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Andover to Springfield as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Andover and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Andover = $90,863, Springfield = $106,643), job availability (5 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Andover vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $78,131 in Andover and $87,992 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov