Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Leominster, MA: $52,101 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Leominster, MA earns a median $52,101/year (≈ $25.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Leominster's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $48,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Massachusetts state average.

$52,101
Median Annual Salary
$25.05/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$41,932
Entry Level (P10)
$64,464
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Assistant Salary in Leominster, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Leominster, MA dental assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Dental assistants in Leominster, Massachusetts can anticipate a median annual salary of $52,101 in 2026, reflecting a slight increase compared to national figures. With an annual pay range from $41,932 at the 10th percentile to $64,464 at the 90th percentile, the local market takes into account the expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) rules prevalent in the state, which often elevate compensation above typical dental assistant rates. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS data, adapted for regional economic conditions, indicating a robust job market for dental professionals as the demand for dental care continues to grow in Leominster and beyond.

About the Leominster Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$41,932$20.16
Lower Range (P25)$47,610$22.89
Median (P50)(typical)$52,101$25.05
Upper Range (P75)$61,756$29.69
Top Earners (P90)$64,464$30.99

Median Salary Position

$41,932$64,464
City Median: $52,101
National: $49,579
P10–P90 Range

5.09% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leominster

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Leominster. The median salary is $52,101, compared to the national median of $49,579.$37.7K$45.2K$52.7K$60.2K$67.7K$41.9K10th Pctl$47.6K25th Pctl$52.1KMedian$61.8K75th Pctl$64.5K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Leominster, MA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,532 (2026 est.). At $52,101, the local median is 5.09% above the national median of $49,579.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental assistant pay in the Leominster metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,002
per week
$4,342
per month
$52,110
per year

At 40 hours/week in Leominster: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Leominster Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Leominster median: $52,101/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryLeominster Pays
Massachusetts Average$54,901-5.10% less
National Average$49,579+5.09% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Leominster ($52,101) with Massachusetts average ($54,901) and the US national median ($49,579).Leominster$52,101Massachusetts Avg$54,901-5.10%US National$49,579+5.09%

Dental Assistants in Leominster, MA earn a median of $52,101 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.09% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 5.10% below the Massachusetts state average of $54,901.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$52,101
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$48,019
Adjusted Salary

Leominster has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $52,101. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $48,019, a loss of $4,082.$40.8K$45.6K$50.4K$55.1K$59.9K$52,101NominalSalary$48,019CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $49.6K

Leominster, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,101 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,019 — a 7.83% reduction.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

2019 BLS Actual

$46,630

2025 BLS Actual

$50,515

2026 Current Est.

$52,101

2019–2027 Growth

+15.2%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Leominster (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental assistants in Leominster. Baseline $46,630 in 2025, projected to $53,737 by 2027.$44.4K$47.1K$49.9K$52.6K$55.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$46.6K$48.8K$46.2K$46.0K$48.8K$53.6K$50.5K$52.1K$53.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$46,630Actual
2020$48,770Actual
2021$46,170Actual
2022$45,980Actual
2023$48,840Actual
2024$53,552Actual
2025$50,515Actual
2026(current)$52,101Estimated
2027$53,737Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leominster metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 8.3% from $46,630 (2019) to $50,515 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,737 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,107 (15.24%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leominster metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$41,932$47,610
3-5 years (Mid Career)$47,610$52,101
5+ years (Experienced)$52,101$61,756
10+ years (Top Earner)$61,756$64,464

DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Assistant Job Market in Leominster

Analyzing the local employment landscape reveals that only 10 dental assistants are currently working in Leominster, suggesting a niche but stable job market for this profession. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 108.5, which is slightly above the national average, the purchasing power of dental assistant pay in Leominster MA is a crucial factor for prospective employees. General dental practices, including those within DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, often provide higher salaries compared to pediatric or specialty practices. The range of earnings is influenced by several factors: specialty roles such as those in orthodontics or oral surgery tend to offer higher pay, while EFDA certifications can command premiums in this market. For dental assistants seeking to maximize their income, pursuing advanced certifications, considering roles in higher-paying specialties, and remaining open to transitioning into hybrid positions can prove advantageous in navigating the evolving landscape of dental assistant pay in Leominster.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental assistants make in Leominster, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Leominster is $52,101/year ($25.05/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $41,932 at entry level (10th percentile) to $64,464 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Leominster at 5.1% above the national median. Full-time dental assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Leominster, MA a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Leominster dental assistant salaries are 5.1% above the national average and 5.1% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 10 dental assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental assistants make $100K in Leominster?

The median dental assistant salary in Leominster is $52,101, and the 90th percentile earns $64,464. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Leominster?

After adjusting for Leominster's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $52,101 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $48,019 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Leominster reduce the effective value of your salary by 7.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Leominster?

Dental Assistants in Leominster earn a median hourly rate of $25.05, which translates to approximately $52,101/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $20.16 for entry-level positions to $30.99 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

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

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 $50,515 for dental assistantsin the Leominster metropolitan area. A 3.14% 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 Leominster is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

Last verified: