Dental Assistant Pay

Leominster vs Worcester: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Leominster, MA
$52,101
$25.05/hr
Worcester, MA
$52,313
$25.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLeominster, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$52,101$52,313
Hourly Rate$25.05$25.16
Entry Level (P10)$41,932$41,854
25th Percentile$47,610$49,817
75th Percentile$61,756$63,029
Top Earner (P90)$64,464$63,751
Total Employed10880
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Leominster ($52,101) and Worcester ($52,313) dental assistant salaries.LeominsterWorcesterMedian Salary$52,101$52,313Entry Level (P10)$41,932$41,854Top Earner (P90)$64,464$63,751US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Leominster and Worcester is $212 (0.41%). Worcester's median is +5.51% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Leominster spans $22,532,Worcester spans $21,897. Leominster has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Leominster
P10 (Entry)$41,932
P25$47,610
Median$52,101
P75$61,756
P90 (Top)$64,464
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$41,854
P25$49,817
Median$52,313
P75$63,029
P90 (Top)$63,751

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($51,026 effective) pays 6.26% more than Leominster ($48,019 effective).

Leominster
Nominal: $52,101
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $48,019
Worcester
Nominal: $52,313
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $51,026

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Leominster if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($64,464)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,313/year)
  • Larger job market (880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,026)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Leominster grew 8.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.1% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Leominster, MA

+8.3%

$46,630 (2019) → $50,515 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+2.1%

$49,690 (2019) → $50,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Leominster or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median dental assistant salary at $52,313/year, compared to Leominster at $52,101/year — a difference of $212 (0.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Leominster and Worcester?

Leominster dental assistants earn $25.05/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $25.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Leominster to Worcester as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Leominster and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Leominster = $48,019, Worcester = $51,026), job availability (10 vs 880 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Leominster vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $41,932 in Leominster and $41,854 in Worcester. The Leominster 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