Dental Assistant salary in Erie, PA
Dental Assistants in the Erie, PA metro area earn a median of $44,930 a year ($21.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,880 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 6% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $47,930. There are 1.9 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $45,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Erie, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| 25th percentile | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| Median | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| 75th percentile | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Average (mean) | $45,360 | $21.81 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,744.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,872.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,728.08 |
| Weekly | $864.04 |
| Hourly | $21.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,570 | 6,510 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $47,690 | 2,260 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $47,590 | 970 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $47,420 | 720 |
| Lancaster, PA | $47,310 | 630 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $47,220 | 450 |
| Reading, PA | $47,160 | 370 |
| Lebanon, PA | $46,740 | 80 |
| Williamsport, PA | $46,620 | 70 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $46,550 | 350 |
| State College, PA | $46,210 | 150 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $46,200 | 120 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $45,930 | 70 |
| Altoona, PA | $45,310 | 90 |
| Johnstown, PA | $43,370 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Erie, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,280 | $18.89 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,600 | $28.18 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,890 | $16.77 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,970 | $21.62 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,860 | $13.40 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,430 | $18.96 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $59,120 | $28.42 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $58,470 | $28.11 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Erie, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Erie, PA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Erie, PA metro area is $44,930 a year, or $21.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Erie, PA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Erie, PA metro area earn at least $58,880 a year. The top 25% earn $47,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Erie, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,570 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $38,190 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Erie, PA?
About 230 dental assistants are employed in the Erie, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.