Dental Assistant Pay

Boston vs Everett: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Boston, MA and Everett, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$59,986
$28.84/hr
Everett, MA
$53,898
$25.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAEverett, MA
Median Salary$59,986$53,898
Hourly Rate$28.84$25.91
Entry Level (P10)$49,280$41,934
25th Percentile$50,301$49,383
75th Percentile$62,967$62,872
Top Earner (P90)$75,065$70,251
Total Employed7,1907
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($59,986) and Everett ($53,898) dental assistant salaries.BostonEverettMedian Salary$59,986$53,898Entry Level (P10)$49,280$41,934Top Earner (P90)$75,065$70,251US Median $49,579

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Everett.

The salary gap between Boston and Everett is $6,088 (11.30%). Boston's median is +20.99% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $25,785,Everett spans $28,317. Everett has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$49,280
P25$50,301
Median$59,986
P75$62,967
P90 (Top)$75,065
Everett
P10 (Entry)$41,934
P25$49,383
Median$53,898
P75$62,872
P90 (Top)$70,251

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($55,406 effective) pays 11.54% more than Everett ($49,676 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $59,986
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $55,406
Everett
Nominal: $53,898
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $49,676

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,986/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,065)
  • Larger job market (7,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,406)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Everett if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Boston grew 16.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.7% growth in Everett over the same period.

Boston, MA

+16.6%

$49,890 (2019) → $58,160 (2025)

Everett, MA

+-5.7%

$55,399 (2024) → $52,257 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Boston or Everett?

Boston has a higher median dental assistant salary at $59,986/year, compared to Everett at $53,898/year — a difference of $6,088 (11.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Everett?

Boston dental assistants earn $28.84/hr while Everett hygienists earn $25.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Everett as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Everett. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $55,406, Everett = $49,676), job availability (7,190 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Boston vs Everett?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $49,280 in Boston and $41,934 in Everett. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% 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 Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov