Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Waltham, MA: $48.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Waltham, MA runs $48.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,320 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Waltham's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,794 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waltham, Massachusetts, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to reach $48.71 by 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This rate represents a favorable income for those working in various settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric offices, and public health mobile clinics. For part-time dental hygienists working three days a week, this translates to approximately $1,000 weekly, providing a solid foundation for income while allowing flexibility. Entry-level hygienists may earn around $37.98 an hour, while experienced professionals can command rates as high as $62.23. These estimates are derived from annual salary data and highlight the competitive landscape for dental hygienists in Waltham, MA.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.98 | $303.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.72 | $333.79 |
| Median (P50) | $48.71 | $389.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.93 | $439.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.23 | $497.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waltham
Based on $48.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.71/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waltham, MA can expect to earn approximately $101,323 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,456. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Waltham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waltham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,948.53 | $8,444 | $101,323 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.12 | $5,066 | $60,794 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.41 | $3,377 | $40,529 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Waltham) | $48.71 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Waltham, MA earn a median of $101,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.58% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,131.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.71/hr = $60,794/year (purchasing power: $56,031).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,323/year (purchasing power: $93,386).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$40.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.71/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Waltham (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $40.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Waltham grew 15.2% from $40.28/hr (2020) to $46.42/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.12/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Waltham
Considering part-time opportunities, a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week can expect an annual income of about $58,978, contrasting sharply with the earnings of full-time counterparts. The per diem dental hygienist pay in Waltham often varies between $40 and $60 per hour, with experienced clinicians in high-cost living cities like Boston potentially exceeding $60 in temp roles. Employers, including solo practices, larger multi-doctor setups, and Dental Service Organizations like Heartland or Aspen, can impact pay significantly. Many dental hygienists weighing offers might choose lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance and benefits, whereas independent contractors seeking more competitive hourly wages forgo those perks. When negotiating in Waltham, it is beneficial to research average pay rates across different employer types, utilize professional networks, and consider both immediate pay and overall job satisfaction as part of the decision-making process.
More salary data for Waltham, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Waltham in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Waltham?
Are dental hygienists in Waltham paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Waltham?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Waltham?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Waltham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waltham 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