Dental Assistant Salary in Taunton, MA: $54,092 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Taunton, MA earns a median $54,092/year (≈ $26.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Taunton's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $49,854 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Taunton, Massachusetts, is projected to reach a median annual amount of $54,092, which signifies a competitive edge over the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants in this area extends from $43,689 at the 10th percentile to $70,849 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse pay scale influenced by workplace settings. Employment opportunities for dental assistants in Taunton may see variations depending on whether they work in solo practices or with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) that have standardized pay scales. DSOs like Heartland and Aspen offer clear pay structures, while solo practices might provide more flexibility, potentially impacting overall earning potential.
About the Taunton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,689 | $21.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,961 | $24.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,092 | $26.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,211 | $31.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,849 | $34.07 |
Median Salary Position
9.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taunton
In Taunton, MA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,160 (2026 est.). At $54,092, the local median is 9.1% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Taunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Taunton Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Taunton median: $54,092/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Taunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $54,916 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +9.10% more |
Dental Assistants in Taunton, MA earn a median of $54,092 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.10% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $54,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Taunton has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Taunton, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,092 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,854 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,728
2025 BLS Actual
$52,445
2026 Current Est.
$54,092
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Taunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,728 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,928 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,179 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,899 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,776 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,599 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,445 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,092 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,790 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Taunton metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $43,728 (2019) to $52,445 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,790 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,062 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taunton 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) | $43,689 – $50,961 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,961 – $54,092 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,092 – $66,211 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,211 – $70,849 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Taunton
The local job market in Taunton currently employs around 13 dental assistants, indicating a niche but essential workforce within the dental community. Notably, the cost-of-living index of 108.5 suggests that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power for dental assistants may be slightly constrained by regional living expenses. General dental practices usually offer lower salaries compared to specialized fields such as orthodontics or oral surgery, where pay tends to be higher. Factors contributing to the salary spread include the level of specialization, the benefit of credentials like EFDA, and roles that blend responsibilities such as treatment coordination. Maximizing earning potential in Taunton can involve pursuing expanded function roles or seeking employment in high-paying DSO environments that adjust for experience and skill.
More salary data for Taunton, 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 $52,445 for dental assistantsin the Taunton 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 Taunton 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