Dental Assistant Salary in Salem, MA: $52,889 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Salem, MA earns a median $52,889/year (≈ $25.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Salem's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $48,746 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a dental assistant salary in Salem, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual income of $52,889, reflecting ongoing shifts in the job market. The salary range for dental assistants is projected to span from $43,857 at the lower end to as high as $68,861 for those at the top tier of earnings. These estimates are drawn from data based on 2025 BLS figures, adjusted for regional cost considerations. In Salem, employment opportunities are notably influenced by the rise of Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) which maintain structured pay scales, contrasting sharply with the potentially flexible compensation models offered by solo practices. This dynamic can significantly impact how much dental assistants make in Salem, especially as DSOs expand their foothold in the local healthcare ecosystem.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,857 | $21.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,469 | $24.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,889 | $25.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,650 | $29.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,861 | $33.11 |
Median Salary Position
6.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, MA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,004 (2026 est.). At $52,889, the local median is 6.68% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Salem median: $52,889/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $54,864 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +6.68% more |
Dental Assistants in Salem, MA earn a median of $52,889 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.68% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $54,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,889 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,746 — 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
$42,756
2025 BLS Actual
$51,279
2026 Current Est.
$52,889
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,756 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,929 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,241 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,647 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,362 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,279 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,889 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,550 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $42,756 (2019) to $51,279 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,550 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,794 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $43,857 – $50,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,469 – $52,889 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,889 – $61,650 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,650 – $68,861 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Salem
Analyzing the local job market reveals that only eight dental assistants are currently employed in Salem, highlighting a relatively small but specialized workforce. The cost of living index stands at 108.5, suggesting that while salaries may appear competitive, purchasing power may be constrained compared to regions with lower living costs. For aspiring dental assistants in Salem MA, optimal pay tends to be found in specialized roles such as orthodontics and oral surgery, along with DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, known for their higher tier compensation structures. Variability in earnings is often driven by the type of practice, the potential for credentialing as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA), and the dual roles many dental assistants fill, such as treatment coordinators. To maximize financial potential in Salem’s market, pursuing additional certifications and seeking employment with larger dental groups could be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Salem, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Salem, MA in 2026?
Is Salem, MA a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Salem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Salem?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Salem?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $51,279 for dental assistantsin the Salem 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 Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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