Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Pennsylvania
The median dental hygienist earns $80,610 a year in Pennsylvania ($38.76 an hour), with the middle half earning between $75,620 and $99,950.[1]
25th percentile
$75,620
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$80,610
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$99,950
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $80,610 per year or $38.76/hr at the median. Pennsylvania runs about 18% lower than 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 hygienists 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 | $30.35 | $63,130 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $36.36 | $75,620 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $38.76 | $80,610 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $48.05 | $99,950 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $49.78 | $103,540 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $40.51 | $84,260 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Pennsylvania
7,970
1.31
0.92
How Pennsylvania compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $80,610 in Pennsylvania vs. $98,100 nationally, $17,490 (18%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $63,130 vs. $74,880, 16% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $103,540 vs. $126,050, 18% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 6.2% in Pennsylvania vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist 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 | $100,820 | $96,560–$103,480 | 4,180 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $84,100 | $79,440–$85,370 | 390 |
| Gettysburg | $82,920 | $78,080–$101,020 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $82,060 | $78,900–$94,090 | 530 |
| Williamsport | $80,990 | $75,600–$81,120 | 40 |
| Lancaster | $80,810 | $78,030–$93,900 | 370 |
| Chambersburg | $80,450 | $77,190–$93,500 | 80 |
| York-Hanover | $80,380 | $79,190–$92,840 | 300 |
| Reading | $80,300 | $78,880–$90,520 | 220 |
| Lebanon | $80,270 | $78,290–$91,310 | 60 |
| State College | $78,530 | $76,150–$78,920 | 130 |
| Erie | $77,360 | $72,620–$79,090 | 140 |
| Pittsburgh | $75,960 | $75,510–$79,200 | 1,580 |
| Altoona | $75,070 | $73,790–$78,500 | 90 |
| Johnstown | $74,450 | $71,410–$75,300 | 60 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $70,730 | $56,220–$71,220 | 400 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 6.2% over 2024–2034, from 8,580 to 9,120 jobs, with about 580 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 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.
Licensing for dental hygienists in Pennsylvania
Licensing board: Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry[5] (licenses dentists, dental hygienists, public health dental hygiene practitioners and EFDAs)
Path to a license: Complete an accredited dental hygiene program (at least an associate degree), then pass the NBDHE and a board-accepted clinical exam such as ADEX, CDCA, CRDTS or WREB.[6]
What drives dental hygienist pay in Pennsylvania
Pay for a dental hygienist 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 hygienist roles in Pennsylvania, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Pennsylvania: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Pennsylvania was $80,610 ($38.76 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $75,620 and $99,950. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $63,130 and the top 10% earned over $103,540.
Do dental hygienists in Pennsylvania earn more than the national median?
No. The Pennsylvania median of $80,610 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $17,490 (18%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Pennsylvania metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 16 Pennsylvania metro areas with published BLS data, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has the highest median at $100,820 a year. Scranton--Wilkes-Barre has the lowest, at $70,730.
How many dental hygienists work in Pennsylvania?
BLS estimates 7,970 dental hygienists were employed in Pennsylvania in May 2025. That is 1.31 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.92, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 6.2% over 2024–2034, from 8,580 to 9,120 jobs. That works out to about 580 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Who licenses dental hygienists in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry. In short: complete an accredited dental hygiene program (at least an associate degree), then pass the NBDHE and a board-accepted clinical exam such as ADEX, CDCA, CRDTS or WREB. Confirm current requirements on the board's website before you apply.
Hiring in Pennsylvania?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Pennsylvania
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), 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 Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists
- 5.Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry
- 6.Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry, licensure requirements