Dental Hygienist Salary in Fall River, MA: $102,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Fall River, MA earns a median $102,788/year (≈ $49.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Fall River's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $94,735 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fall River, Massachusetts, dental hygienists can expect a median annual salary of $102,788 in 2026. The salary range spans from $82,373 at the 10th percentile to $133,973 at the 90th percentile, reflecting notable variations based on experience and workplace setting. According to estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, these figures are adjusted for regional cost disparities, offering a clear view of local earning potential. With only 21 dental hygienists currently employed in the area, this suggests a market that is relatively stable, yet it could indicate limited growth opportunities compared to larger urban centers.
About the Fall River Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($101,268) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,373 | $39.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,809 | $43.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,788 | $49.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,494 | $55.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,973 | $64.41 |
Median Salary Position
0.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fall River
In Fall River, MA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,600 (2026 est.). At $102,788, the local median is 0.15% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fall River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fall River Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Fall River median: $102,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fall River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $104,142 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -0.15% less |
Dental Hygienists in Fall River, MA earn a median of $102,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.15% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $104,142.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fall River has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fall River, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,788 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,735 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$84,993
2025 BLS Actual
$97,949
2026 Current Est.
$102,788
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Fall River (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $84,993 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,063 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,881 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,473 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,033 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,949 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,865 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fall River metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.2% from $84,993 (2020) to $97,949 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,872 (26.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fall River 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) | $82,373 – $89,809 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,809 – $102,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,788 – $115,494 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,494 – $133,973 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Fall River
While the salary figures for dental hygienists in Fall River suggest competitiveness, local practitioners must also consider the cost of living, which registers at a higher-than-average index of 108.5. This reality may affect take-home pay and purchasing power in the area. Dentists or dental practices affiliated with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may provide the highest compensation, often coupled with attractive sign-on bonuses. The widening salary gap between lower and higher earners can often be tied to factors like production-based bonuses, work schedules, and the lack of benefits in solo practices versus comprehensive packages in larger organizations. Aspiring dental hygienists should focus on gaining experience in higher-paying environments, exploring DSOs, or seeking positions that offer greater hours or enhanced benefits to maximize their earning potential in Fall River, MA.
More salary data for Fall River, 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 $97,949 for dental hygienistsin the Fall River 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 Fall River 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