Dental Assistant Salaries in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the ninth most densely populated of all the states with a total population just over 12.8 million people. With this dense population, there are plenty of opportunities for trained professionals in the dental and healthcare industries. Dental assistants are in demand all over the state.
Occupational projections for dental assistants in Pennsylvania between 2016 and 2026 indicate a slight increase of approximately 8.3 percent. Average annual openings are estimated to be around 1,430.
Dental assistants in Pennsylvania must be licensed by the state in order to practice. The licensing process requires completion of an accredited dental assisting program, as well as passage of a written and clinical examination. Dental assistants must also complete a continuing education course every two years in order to maintain their license.
There are several accredited dental assisting programs offered in Pennsylvania. These programs typically take between nine and 12 months to complete, and include coursework in anatomy, physiology, dental materials, infection control, and radiography. Some programs also offer externship opportunities that allow students to gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting.
Dental assistants in Pennsylvania earn salary rates slightly less than the national average salary paid to professionals in this field.
| AreaName | Base Year | Employed | Projection Year | Projected Employment | Change | % Change | Projected Average Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2018 | 346,000 | 2026 | 384,700 | 38,700 | 19.5% | 44,800 |
| Pennsylvania | 2016 | 11,770 | 2026 | 12,750 | 980 | 8.3% | 1,430 |
| State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
| Pennsylvania | 11,400 | $19.37 | $40,290 | $27,230 | $32,730 | $39,170 | $48,170 | $57,390 |
While there are job opportunities for dental assistants across the entire state of Pennsylvania, the largest number of jobs are concentrated in the largest cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburg. The most highly paid opportunities tend to be in Lancaster, Williamsport and Philadelphia. Less densely populated areas such as Erie and Altoona tend to offer lower pay.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 810 | $20.30 | $42,220 | $30,210 | $35,120 | $40,710 | $49,100 | $58,980 |
| Altoona, PA | 140 | $17.55 | $36,500 | $26,270 | $30,050 | $36,290 | $43,140 | $49,540 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 70 | $20.20 | $42,010 | $33,990 | $39,850 | $43,300 | $46,990 | $49,200 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 110 | $18.48 | $38,430 | $28,880 | $32,820 | $38,490 | $44,760 | $49,360 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 70 | $18.72 | $38,940 | $27,970 | $30,580 | $39,250 | $46,110 | $52,790 |
| Erie, PA | 200 | $15.69 | $32,630 | $25,010 | $28,130 | $31,620 | $36,910 | $41,550 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 60 | $18.61 | $38,700 | $24,040 | $29,870 | $36,530 | $45,260 | $58,470 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 680 | $18.87 | $39,240 | $27,850 | $33,180 | $39,860 | $46,040 | $50,700 |
| Johnstown, PA | 290 | $17.58 | $36,570 | $26,030 | $28,820 | $33,330 | $41,780 | $55,740 |
| Lancaster, PA | 610 | $23.16 | $48,180 | $34,010 | $39,700 | $48,850 | $57,390 | $63,250 |
| Lebanon, PA | 70 | $19.76 | $41,100 | $33,550 | $35,760 | $39,040 | $44,970 | $53,800 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 21780 | $20.47 | $42,580 | $28,050 | $33,180 | $41,350 | $51,020 | $60,520 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 6030 | $20.32 | $42,260 | $27,870 | $34,500 | $41,850 | $50,660 | $59,750 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1920 | $18.00 | $37,450 | $26,220 | $30,740 | $36,940 | $43,540 | $51,740 |
| Reading, PA | 300 | $18.61 | $38,700 | $28,020 | $32,480 | $37,430 | $43,810 | $50,400 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 690 | $19.17 | $39,880 | $27,610 | $31,900 | $40,450 | $48,010 | $52,290 |
| State College, PA | 150 | $16.38 | $34,070 | $27,650 | $30,110 | $33,540 | $38,070 | $42,260 |
| Williamsport, PA | 70 | $20.97 | $43,620 | $32,360 | $35,490 | $41,190 | $52,470 | $61,520 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 320 | $19.06 | $39,640 | $26,120 | $33,410 | $37,520 | $45,560 | $59,900 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 440 | $18.42 | $38,310 | $27,550 | $30,450 | $35,550 | $45,870 | $53,390 |
A career as a dental assistant is one of the best-paid careers in the healthcare industry. Professionals in this line of work in Pennsylvania usually earn more than those in related roles such as pharmacy technicians, nursing assistants and medical assistants. Working as a physical therapist assistant pays slightly more than working as a dental assistant.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 18250 | $14.97 | $31,130 | $21,380 | $25,180 | $29,910 | $36,440 | $43,420 |
| Nursing Assistants | 75090 | $15.19 | $31,590 | $24,720 | $27,640 | $31,210 | $36,070 | $39,660 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 5330 | $26.69 | $55,520 | $33,840 | $45,920 | $56,950 | $65,820 | $76,040 |
| Dental Assistants | 11400 | $19.37 | $40,290 | $27,230 | $32,730 | $39,170 | $48,170 | $57,390 |
| Medical Assistants | 29280 | $16.10 | $33,490 | $25,560 | $28,560 | $32,970 | $37,930 | $42,830 |