Dental Hygienist Salary in Malden, MA: $104,453 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Malden, MA earns a median $104,453/year (≈ $50.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Malden's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $96,270 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected dental hygienist salary in Malden, Massachusetts, is set at $104,453 for 2026, which slightly exceeds the national median of $102,946, indicating a competitive local market. With a salary range from $78,158 at the 10th percentile to $133,152 at the 90th percentile, the figures suggest ample opportunities for growth and advancement within the profession. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, reflect a stable employment environment with 15 dental hygienists currently working in the area, signaling potential opportunities for aspiring professionals in Malden.
About the Malden Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,158 | $37.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,021 | $41.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,453 | $50.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,330 | $55.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,152 | $64.01 |
Median Salary Position
1.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Malden
In Malden, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,994 (2026 est.). At $104,453, the local median is 1.46% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Malden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Malden Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Malden median: $104,453/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Malden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,141 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +1.46% more |
Dental Hygienists in Malden, MA earn a median of $104,453 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.46% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $104,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Malden has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Malden, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,453 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,270 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$86,370
2025 BLS Actual
$99,536
2026 Current Est.
$104,453
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Malden (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $86,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,539 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,353 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,069 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,254 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,536 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,453 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,613 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Malden metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $86,370 (2020) to $99,536 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,613 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,243 (26.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Malden 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) | $78,158 – $87,021 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,021 – $104,453 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,453 – $115,330 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,330 – $133,152 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Malden
In terms of the local job market, Malden's cost-of-living index at 108.5 indicates a higher than average living expense, impacting how dental hygienist pay in Malden, MA, translates into purchasing power. Those employed in multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen typically report higher earnings than their counterparts in solo practices. The variability in salaries can be attributed to factors such as production-based bonuses, varying work schedules, and differences in benefits packages, particularly between private offices and DSOs. For recent graduates or those seeking to maximize their income, targeting opportunities within larger organizations that offer comprehensive benefits and competitive pay is a strategic way to enhance their overall earnings in the Malden market.
More salary data for Malden, 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 $99,536 for dental hygienistsin the Malden 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 Malden 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