Dental Hygienist Pay

Lynn vs Worcester: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Lynn, MA
$106,942
$51.41/hr
Worcester, MA
$105,423
$50.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLynn, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$106,942$105,423
Hourly Rate$51.41$50.69
Entry Level (P10)$78,948$101,288
25th Percentile$88,675$104,657
75th Percentile$119,761$106,283
Top Earner (P90)$139,488$110,638
Total Employed24790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lynn ($106,942) and Worcester ($105,423) dental hygienist salaries.LynnWorcesterMedian Salary$106,942$105,423Entry Level (P10)$78,948$101,288Top Earner (P90)$139,488$110,638US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lynn and Worcester is $1,519 (1.44%). Lynn's median is +3.88% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lynn spans $60,540,Worcester spans $9,350. Lynn has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lynn
P10 (Entry)$78,948
P25$88,675
Median$106,942
P75$119,761
P90 (Top)$139,488
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$101,288
P25$104,657
Median$105,423
P75$106,283
P90 (Top)$110,638

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($102,829 effective) pays 4.33% more than Lynn ($98,564 effective).

Lynn
Nominal: $106,942
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $98,564
Worcester
Nominal: $105,423
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $102,829

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lynn if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,942/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,488)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,829)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Lynn grew 15.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 7.1% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Lynn, MA

+15.2%

$88,428 (2020) → $101,908 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+7.1%

$93,820 (2020) → $100,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Lynn or Worcester?

Lynn has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $106,942/year, compared to Worcester at $105,423/year — a difference of $1,519 (1.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lynn and Worcester?

Lynn dental hygienists earn $51.41/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $50.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lynn to Worcester as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lynn and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lynn = $98,564, Worcester = $102,829), job availability (24 vs 790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Lynn vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $78,948 in Lynn and $101,288 in Worcester. The Worcester 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