Dental Assistant salary in Pennsylvania
Dental Assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of $23.22 per hour, about $48,290 a year, 2% above the U.S. median of $22.74. The middle half earn between $19.39 and $27.60 per hour. The highest median among Pennsylvania metro areas is in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, at $24.13 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $23.22median pay per hour
- $48,290median pay per year
- 12,410dental assistants employed in Pennsylvania
- #15of 50 states by median pay
Dental Assistant pay in Pennsylvania: percentiles
| Level | Pennsylvania per hour | Pennsylvania per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.63 | $36,670 | $17.40 |
| Lower quartile | $19.39 | $40,330 | $19.00 |
| Median | $23.22 | $48,290 | $22.74 |
| Upper quartile | $27.60 | $57,410 | $27.36 |
| Top 10% | $29.61 | $61,590 | $29.70 |
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Pennsylvania median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $24.13 | $50,200 | 6,790 | 4% above | $23.53 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $23.42 | $48,710 | 1,080 | 1% above | $23.43 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $23.04 | $47,920 | 2,380 | 1% below | $24.34 |
| Lancaster, PA | $22.45 | $46,700 | 650 | 3% below | $22.85 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $22.37 | $46,530 | 640 | 4% below | $22.68 |
| State College, PA | $22.24 | $46,260 | 150 | 4% below | $22.98 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $22.20 | $46,170 | 310 | 4% below | $23.12 |
| Williamsport, PA | $22.04 | $45,850 | 80 | 5% below | $23.87 |
| Lebanon, PA | $22.00 | $45,760 | 90 | 5% below | $23.60 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $21.84 | $45,440 | 80 | 6% below | — |
| Chambersburg, PA | $21.68 | $45,090 | 130 | 7% below | $22.91 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $21.54 | $44,810 | 430 | 7% below | $23.02 |
| Reading, PA | $21.51 | $44,730 | 430 | 7% below | $22.16 |
| Altoona, PA | $21.48 | $44,670 | 100 | 7% below | $24.00 |
| Johnstown, PA | $18.95 | $39,420 | 110 | 18% below | $22.05 |
| Erie, PA | $18.62 | $38,720 | 190 | 20% below | $20.47 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Dental Assistant pay in states next to Pennsylvania
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $22.16 | $46,090 | 5% below Pennsylvania |
| Maryland | $23.21 | $48,280 | in line with Pennsylvania |
| New Jersey | $23.11 | $48,070 | in line with Pennsylvania |
| New York | $22.61 | $47,020 | 3% below Pennsylvania |
| Ohio | $22.76 | $47,330 | 2% below Pennsylvania |
| West Virginia | $17.95 | $37,330 | 23% below Pennsylvania |
What employers are posting in Pennsylvania
- 48roles with published pay
- $22median pay per hour
- $18–$25typical published range
- 3employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental | 46 | $22 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $24.95 |
| ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers | 1 | $27.50 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 48 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Dental Assistant jobs in Pennsylvania · Dental Assistant salary nationwide · Pennsylvania state guide
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $23.22 per hour, about $48,290 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $17.63 and the top 10% earn over $29.61 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Pennsylvania city pays dental assistants the most?
Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has the highest median at $24.13 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Pennsylvania rank for dental assistant pay?
Pennsylvania ranks 15th of 50 states by median dental assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
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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
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
- Dental AssistantPermanent$20.00–$24.00/ hour
- Dental AssistantPermanent$21.00–$24.00/ hour
+ 46 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.