Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Taunton, MA: $49.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Taunton, MA runs $49.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,606 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Taunton's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,567 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Taunton, Massachusetts, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $49.33 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This hourly rate offers substantial earning potential for both part-time and per-diem dental hygienists, characterized by flexible work arrangements in various settings, including general dentistry offices and pediatric specialty clinics. The hourly range in Taunton spans from $39.39 for entry-level practitioners to $64.12 for the top earners, providing opportunities for individuals at different stages of their careers to find suitable positions that match their financial needs and work-life balance.
About the Taunton 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) | $39.39 | $315.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.99 | $343.95 |
| Median (P50) | $49.33 | $394.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.31 | $442.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.12 | $512.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Taunton
Based on $49.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.33/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Taunton, MA can expect to earn approximately $102,611 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,199. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Taunton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Taunton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,973.29 | $8,551 | $102,611 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,183.98 | $5,131 | $61,567 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $789.32 | $3,420 | $41,044 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Taunton) | $49.33 |
| 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 Taunton, MA earn a median of $102,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.33% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,169.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.33/hr = $61,567/year (purchasing power: $56,744).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,611/year (purchasing power: $94,573).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$40.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.33/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Taunton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $40.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Taunton grew 15.2% from $40.79/hr (2020) to $47.01/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.77/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 Taunton 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 Taunton
Part-time dental hygienists working three days a week, approximately 24 hours, can expect to take home around $61,905 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. For those considering per diem work, agencies in the area often offer rates between $40 and $60 per hour, with larger metropolitan areas like Boston pushing rates even higher. In Taunton, the choice of employer can impact hourly pay substantially; solo practices may offer lower hourly rates compared to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, which have the financial capacity to provide additional benefits that might trade off against hourly wages. For RDHs negotiating their pay, understanding local market trends is crucial. Dental hygienists should emphasize their experience and specialized training when discussing compensation, especially considering the competitive nature of the field driven by recent consolidation trends in the dental industry.
More salary data for Taunton, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Taunton in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Taunton?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Taunton?
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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 Taunton. 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 Taunton 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