Dental Hygienist Pay

Shrewsbury vs Springfield: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Shrewsbury, MA
$99,540
$47.85/hr
Springfield, MA
$102,442
$49.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShrewsbury, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$99,540$102,442
Hourly Rate$47.85$49.25
Entry Level (P10)$80,438$87,992
25th Percentile$86,899$100,826
75th Percentile$110,860$103,754
Top Earner (P90)$127,377$105,087
Total Employed6380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shrewsbury ($99,540) and Springfield ($102,442) dental hygienist salaries.ShrewsburySpringfieldMedian Salary$99,540$102,442Entry Level (P10)$80,438$87,992Top Earner (P90)$127,377$105,087US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Shrewsbury and Springfield is $2,902 (2.92%). 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 Shrewsbury spans $46,939,Springfield spans $17,095. Shrewsbury has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shrewsbury
P10 (Entry)$80,438
P25$86,899
Median$99,540
P75$110,860
P90 (Top)$127,377
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 16.24% more than Shrewsbury ($91,742 effective).

Shrewsbury
Nominal: $99,540
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $91,742
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 Shrewsbury if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($127,377)
  • 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 Shrewsbury grew 15.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 17.7% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Shrewsbury, MA

+15.2%

$82,307 (2020) → $94,854 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+17.7%

$82,970 (2020) → $97,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Shrewsbury or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $102,442/year, compared to Shrewsbury at $99,540/year — a difference of $2,902 (2.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shrewsbury and Springfield?

Shrewsbury dental hygienists earn $47.85/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $49.25/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shrewsbury and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shrewsbury = $91,742, Springfield = $106,643), job availability (6 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $80,438 in Shrewsbury 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