PA · Lancaster · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Lancaster, PA

Dental Assistants in the Lancaster area earn a median of $22.45 per hour, about $46,700 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $20.59 and $27.48. That ranks 159th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 192nd of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Lancaster and its metro area. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Lancaster.

Open Dental Assistant roles near Lancaster

Roles in other cities of the Lancaster area.

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Ephrata, PA

$19.00–$25.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-004661
View role

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Dental Assistant pay in Lancaster, PA

The metro median is 3% below the Pennsylvania statewide median of $23.22 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 650 dental assistants employed in the Lancaster metro area, 2.6 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.07).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$17.58$36,57023% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$20.59$42,8309% below U.S. median
Median$22.45$46,7001% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$27.48$57,16021% above U.S. median
Top 10%$28.38$59,03025% above U.S. median

How Lancaster ranks

  • 159th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 192nd of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 4th of 15 Pennsylvania metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Lancaster

  • Overall prices in Lancaster run 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $22.45 median hour buys what $22.85 buys at the national price level, in line with the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Lancaster paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$808
  • Per year: $40,410
  • Per month: $3,368

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Lancaster metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Lancaster County

HRSA lists 2 active dental health shortage designations that include Lancaster County (1 population-group, 1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 21 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Reading, PA29 mi$21.51/hr96,000
Harrisburg, PA35 mi$22.37/hr50,649
Wilmington, DE46 mi$24.13/hr73,176
Baltimore, MD54 mi$23.21/hr568,271
Allentown, PA58 mi$23.42/hr127,138
Philadelphia, PA62 mi$24.13/hr1,573,916

Dental Assistant jobs in Pennsylvania · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Pennsylvania

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Pennsylvania requires for your role with the Pennsylvania licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Pennsylvania taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Pennsylvania state guide

Other healthcare roles in Lancaster

Lancaster city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Lancaster, PA?

Dental Assistants in the Lancaster metro area have a median pay of $22.45 per hour, about $46,700 a year. The middle half earn between $20.59 and $27.48 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Lancaster a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Lancaster ranks 192nd of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 159th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Lancaster?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in the Lancaster area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Lancaster.

Do I need a Pennsylvania license to work in Lancaster as a dental assistant?

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Pennsylvania requires for your role with the Pennsylvania licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Lancaster in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 2 active dental health shortage designations that include Lancaster County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Lancaster?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Lancaster and across Pennsylvania. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Lancaster.

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Lancaster, PA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Pennsylvania list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Port Richmond Dental Center, P.C.Philadelphia, PA · 1 wage offer$23.07/ hr$23–$23
  • Aspen DentalSt Clair, PA · 46 postings$22.00/ hr$15–$30
  • Aspen DentalSt. Louis Park, MN · 5 postings$37.50/ hr$22–$42
  • Smile BrandsFaribault, MN · 3 postings$28.50/ hr$25–$35

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Pennsylvania list

2What they are offering now

Low$18Median$22.00High$25

48 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Pennsylvania, 12 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 48 Dental Assistant roles

  1. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $20.00–$24.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Hermitage, PA · posted 2 days ago
  2. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $21.00–$24.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Easton, PA · posted 3 days ago

+ 46 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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