Dental Assistant salary in Pennsylvania
Dental Assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,930 a year ($23.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,430 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $48,070. Pennsylvania ranks 25th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $50,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| 25th percentile | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| Median | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| 75th percentile | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Average (mean) | $50,130 | $24.10 |
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 | $3,994.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,997.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.46 |
| Weekly | $921.73 |
| Hourly | $23.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,930 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 cities in Pennsylvania
| 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 |
| Erie, PA | $44,930 | 230 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $41,510 | $19.96 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,590 | $21.44 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| Orderly | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,790 | $21.53 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for dental assistants in Pennsylvania is $47,930 a year, or $23.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Pennsylvania earn at least $61,430 a year. The top 25% earn $56,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,040 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $45,620 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Pennsylvania?
About 12,080 dental assistants are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.