Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania
The median dental assistant earns $47,930 a year in Pennsylvania ($23.05 an hour), with the middle half earning between $45,620 and $56,840.[1]
25th percentile
$45,620
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$47,930
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$56,840
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $47,930 per year or $23.05/hr at the median. That's about the same as the national median.
The full pay range in Pennsylvania
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in Pennsylvania earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Pennsylvania hourly | Pennsylvania annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.29 | $38,040 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $21.93 | $45,620 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $23.05 | $47,930 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $27.33 | $56,840 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $29.53 | $61,430 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $24.10 | $50,130 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Pennsylvania
12,080
1.99
0.80
How Pennsylvania compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $47,930 in Pennsylvania vs. $48,070 nationally, about the same.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $38,040 vs. $37,130, 2% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $61,430 vs. $62,250, 1% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 5.5% in Pennsylvania vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Pennsylvania
All 16 Pennsylvania metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $49,570 | $47,490–$57,070 | 6,510 |
| Pittsburgh | $47,690 | $45,800–$58,210 | 2,260 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $47,590 | $44,870–$58,100 | 970 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $47,420 | $46,290–$59,900 | 720 |
| Lancaster | $47,310 | $44,400–$58,650 | 630 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $47,220 | $37,470–$48,140 | 450 |
| Reading | $47,160 | $46,050–$58,840 | 370 |
| Lebanon | $46,740 | $45,570–$59,610 | 80 |
| Williamsport | $46,620 | $43,680–$60,450 | 70 |
| York-Hanover | $46,550 | $45,500–$58,820 | 350 |
| State College | $46,210 | $39,100–$48,900 | 150 |
| Chambersburg | $46,200 | $39,860–$59,820 | 120 |
| Gettysburg | $45,930 | $37,160–$58,520 | 70 |
| Altoona | $45,310 | $35,950–$47,300 | 90 |
| Erie | $44,930 | $38,190–$47,150 | 230 |
| Johnstown | $43,370 | $37,630–$46,840 | 110 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 5.5% over 2024–2034, from 12,420 to 13,100 jobs, with about 1,700 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
Dental assistant credentials in Pennsylvania
Licensing board: Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry[5]
Credentials:
- Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA)
Pennsylvania certifies EFDAs after a board-approved program and a written exam.[6][7]
What drives dental assistant pay in Pennsylvania
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental assistant roles in Pennsylvania, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Assistant salary in Pennsylvania: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Pennsylvania was $47,930 ($23.05 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $45,620 and $56,840. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $38,040 and the top 10% earned over $61,430.
Do dental assistants in Pennsylvania earn more than the national median?
About the same. The Pennsylvania median of $47,930 is about the same as the U.S. median of $48,070. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Pennsylvania metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 16 Pennsylvania metro areas with published BLS data, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has the highest median at $49,570 a year. Johnstown has the lowest, at $43,370.
How many dental assistants work in Pennsylvania?
BLS estimates 12,080 dental assistants were employed in Pennsylvania in May 2025. That is 1.99 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.80, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 5.5% over 2024–2034, from 12,420 to 13,100 jobs. That works out to about 1,700 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
What credentials do dental assistants need in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania certifies EFDAs after a board-approved program and a written exam. Credentials to know: Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA). Requirements depend on which duties you perform, so check the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry and DANB's Pennsylvania page for specifics.
Hiring in Pennsylvania?
Fill dental assistant roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Pennsylvania
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Pennsylvania long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants
- 5.Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry
- 6.Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry, dental assistant credentials
- 7.DANB, Pennsylvania dental assisting state requirements