Dental Assistant Pay

Springfield vs Stoughton: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Springfield, MA
$51,250
$24.64/hr
Stoughton, MA
$52,544
$25.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MAStoughton, MA
Median Salary$51,250$52,544
Hourly Rate$24.64$25.26
Entry Level (P10)$43,205$43,064
25th Percentile$49,466$48,547
75th Percentile$60,069$62,857
Top Earner (P90)$61,544$65,892
Total Employed6105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($51,250) and Stoughton ($52,544) dental assistant salaries.SpringfieldStoughtonMedian Salary$51,250$52,544Entry Level (P10)$43,205$43,064Top Earner (P90)$61,544$65,892US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Springfield and Stoughton is $1,294 (2.52%). Stoughton's median is +5.98% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $18,339,Stoughton spans $22,828. Stoughton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$43,205
P25$49,466
Median$51,250
P75$60,069
P90 (Top)$61,544
Stoughton
P10 (Entry)$43,064
P25$48,547
Median$52,544
P75$62,857
P90 (Top)$65,892

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($53,352 effective) pays 10.17% more than Stoughton ($48,428 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $51,250
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $53,352
Stoughton
Nominal: $52,544
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $48,428

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

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

Choose Stoughton if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,544/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,892)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Springfield grew 13.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.7% growth in Stoughton over the same period.

Springfield, MA

+13.7%

$43,690 (2019) → $49,690 (2025)

Stoughton, MA

+-5.7%

$54,007 (2024) → $50,944 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Springfield or Stoughton?

Stoughton has a higher median dental assistant salary at $52,544/year, compared to Springfield at $51,250/year — a difference of $1,294 (2.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and Stoughton?

Springfield dental assistants earn $24.64/hr while Stoughton hygienists earn $25.26/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and Stoughton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $53,352, Stoughton = $48,428), job availability (610 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $43,205 in Springfield and $43,064 in Stoughton. 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