Dental Assistant Pay

Holyoke vs Springfield: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Holyoke, MA
$53,621
$25.77/hr
Springfield, MA
$51,250
$24.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHolyoke, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$53,621$51,250
Hourly Rate$25.77$24.64
Entry Level (P10)$41,316$43,205
25th Percentile$48,790$49,466
75th Percentile$65,347$60,069
Top Earner (P90)$69,482$61,544
Total Employed7610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Holyoke ($53,621) and Springfield ($51,250) dental assistant salaries.HolyokeSpringfieldMedian Salary$53,621$51,250Entry Level (P10)$41,316$43,205Top Earner (P90)$69,482$61,544US Median $49,579

Verdict

Holyoke, MA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between Holyoke and Springfield is $2,371 (4.63%). Holyoke's median is +8.15% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Holyoke spans $28,166,Springfield spans $18,339. Holyoke has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Holyoke
P10 (Entry)$41,316
P25$48,790
Median$53,621
P75$65,347
P90 (Top)$69,482
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$43,205
P25$49,466
Median$51,250
P75$60,069
P90 (Top)$61,544

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($53,352 effective) pays 7.95% more than Holyoke ($49,420 effective).

Holyoke
Nominal: $53,621
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $49,420
Springfield
Nominal: $51,250
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $53,352

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Holyoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,621/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($69,482)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,352)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Holyoke grew -5.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Holyoke, MA

+-5.7%

$55,115 (2024) → $51,989 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+13.7%

$43,690 (2019) → $49,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Holyoke or Springfield?

Holyoke has a higher median dental assistant salary at $53,621/year, compared to Springfield at $51,250/year — a difference of $2,371 (4.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Holyoke and Springfield?

Holyoke dental assistants earn $25.77/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $24.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Holyoke to Springfield as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Holyoke and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Holyoke = $49,420, Springfield = $53,352), job availability (7 vs 610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Holyoke vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $41,316 in Holyoke and $43,205 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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