SOC 31-9091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Assistants — Central Pennsylvania
Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $47,200, median pay for Dental Assistants in Central Pennsylvania, PA tracks the national median of $48,070 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $47,200, median pay for Dental Assistants in Central Pennsylvania, PA tracks the national median of $48,070 closely. Pay ranges from under $38,470 at the tenth percentile to more than $62,390 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,380 to $49,060.
Employment stands at 270, or 1.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $49,570. Of the 403 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 247th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,470 | −20.0% |
| 25th | $45,380 | −5.6% |
| Median (50th) | $47,200 | −1.8% |
| 75th | $49,060 | +2.1% |
| 90th | $62,390 | +29.8% |
| Mean | $48,450 | +0.8% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $49,570 | 6,510 | |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | $47,690 | 2,260 | |
| 3 | Allentown | $47,590 | 970 | |
| 4 | Harrisburg | $47,420 | 720 | |
| 5 | Lancaster | $47,310 | 630 | |
| 6 | Scranton | $47,220 | 450 | |
| 7 | Reading | $47,160 | 370 | |
| 8 | Lebanon | $46,740 | 80 | |
| 9 | Williamsport | $46,620 | 70 | |
| 10 | York | $46,550 | 350 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $47,200 goes as far as $48,361 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,361US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,200 a year, 1.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,470 to $62,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 270 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $49,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Assistants in Central Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $47,200, or $22.69 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $48,070, so pay in Central Pennsylvania, PA is 1.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $62,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,470 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Philadelphia, at $49,570 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 270 jobs in this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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