Dental Assistant Salary in Pittsfield, MA: $53,086 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Pittsfield, MA earns a median $53,086/year (≈ $25.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Pittsfield's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $55,818 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the projected median annual dental assistant salary for 2026 stands at $53,086, which exceeds the national median of $49,579 by approximately 7.07%. Salaries for dental assistants in the area range from $40,658 at the 10th percentile to $62,018 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the breadth of roles and responsibilities within this profession. This elevated pay scale is likely influenced by Massachusetts’ EFDA regulations, which grant dental assistants expanded functions, enabling them to perform a wider range of procedures. Such qualifications not only enhance the skill set of dental assistants but also contribute significantly to their earning potential. The data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, confirming the strengthening job market for dental assistants in Pittsfield.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,658 | $19.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,249 | $23.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,086 | $25.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,152 | $29.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,018 | $29.82 |
Median Salary Position
7.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsfield
In Pittsfield, MA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,360 (2026 est.). At $53,086, the local median is 7.07% above the national median of $49,579.
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At 40 hours/week in Pittsfield: You'd be above the median
How Pittsfield Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Pittsfield median: $53,086/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $54,898 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +7.07% more |
Dental Assistants in Pittsfield, MA earn a median of $53,086 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.07% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $54,898.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsfield has a cost of living 4.89% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsfield, MA has a cost-of-living index of 95.106 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $53,086 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,818 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.15% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,200
2025 BLS Actual
$51,470
2026 Current Est.
$53,086
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Pittsfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,086 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,753 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsfield metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.1% from $43,200 (2019) to $51,470 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,753 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,553 (26.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,658 – $49,249 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,249 – $53,086 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,086 – $61,152 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,152 – $62,018 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Pittsfield
With 130 dental assistants currently employed in the area, the local job market demonstrates stable demand for dental professionals. Pittsfield's cost of living index, at 95.106, is below the national average, allowing for a more favorable purchasing power relative to earnings. Among local employers, general dental practices, including large DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, typically offer competitive pay, especially when hiring EFDA-certified candidates. Differences in salary are often driven by the specialization of the role; those working in oral surgery and orthodontics tend to earn the highest wages, while pediatric practices may offer lower compensation. To maximize their earning potential, dental assistants in Pittsfield should consider pursuing additional certifications, embracing roles that blend tasks—such as treatment coordination—and seeking positions at larger chains that often provide structured pay scales and benefits.
More salary data for Pittsfield, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $51,470 for dental assistantsin the Pittsfield 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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