Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$70,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$43,210 vs $47,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$37,930 vs $43,919
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $77,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $59,290▲ | -$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $98,560▲ | -$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $123,200▲ | -$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,210 | $47,531▲ | -$4,321 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,446 | $71,148▲ | -$9,702 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,930 | $43,919▲ | -$5,989 |
| Total Employment | 105,000 | 145,000 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $7,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($43,210 vs $47,531 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.