Dental Hygienist Salary in Shrewsbury, MA: $99,540 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Shrewsbury, MA earns a median $99,540/year (≈ $47.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Shrewsbury's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $91,742 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $99,540, which reflects the local economic climate while slightly underperforming compared to the national median of $102,946. The projected salary range spans from $80,438 at the 10th percentile to $127,377 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a competitive but varied pay scale. Such figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicate that aspiring dental hygienists should consider not only the potential earnings but also the cost of living in Shrewsbury, which stands at a comparatively high index of 108.5. This context is particularly relevant as job seekers weigh their career options in a tight labor market characterized by limited employment opportunities in the area, where only six dental hygienists are currently employed.
About the Shrewsbury Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,438 | $38.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,899 | $41.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,540 | $47.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,860 | $53.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,377 | $61.24 |
Median Salary Position
3.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shrewsbury
In Shrewsbury, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,939 (2026 est.). At $99,540, the local median is 3.31% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shrewsbury: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shrewsbury Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Shrewsbury median: $99,540/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shrewsbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,121 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -3.31% less |
Dental Hygienists in Shrewsbury, MA earn a median of $99,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.31% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.40% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,121.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shrewsbury has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shrewsbury, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,540 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,742 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$82,307
2025 BLS Actual
$94,854
2026 Current Est.
$99,540
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Shrewsbury (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $82,307 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,186 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,361 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,781 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,854 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,540 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,457 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shrewsbury metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $82,307 (2020) to $94,854 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,150 (26.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shrewsbury 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) | $80,438 – $86,899 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,899 – $99,540 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,540 – $110,860 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,860 – $127,377 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Shrewsbury
The local job market's dynamics play a vital role in shaping dental hygienist pay in Shrewsbury, MA. Given the high cost of living, hygiene salaries can sometimes feel squeezed, especially in practices that do not offer full benefits—many smaller, solo dental offices may lack comprehensive healthcare packages. Larger employers, such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen Dental, often provide more attractive compensation, including sign-on bonuses and added benefits that can significantly boost overall pay. The discrepancy between lower and higher pay can also stem from factors such as production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and the specific workweek structure, with more flexible 4-day schedules often better compensated. Therefore, dental hygienists aiming to maximize their earnings in Shrewsbury should strategically pursue opportunities with larger practices and consider applying where both base pay and benefits are more favorable.
More salary data for Shrewsbury, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Shrewsbury, MA in 2026?
Is Shrewsbury, MA a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Shrewsbury?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Shrewsbury?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Shrewsbury?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $94,854 for dental hygienistsin the Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury 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