SOC 29-1292 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Hygienists — State College
State College, PA · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in State College, PA is $78,530 a year, trailing the national median of $98,100 by 19.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in State College, PA is $78,530 a year, trailing the national median of $98,100 by 19.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $76,150 and $78,920. The lowest tenth earn under $65,870, while the highest tenth earn more than $93,470.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $100,820. Of the 237 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 55th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $65,870 | −32.9% |
| 25th | $76,150 | −22.4% |
| Median (50th) | $78,530 | −19.9% |
| 75th | $78,920 | −19.6% |
| 90th | $93,470 | −4.7% |
| Mean | $77,810 | −20.7% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $100,820 | 4,180 | |
| 2 | Harrisburg | $84,100 | 390 | |
| 3 | Gettysburg | $82,920 | 40 | |
| 4 | Allentown | $82,060 | 530 | |
| 5 | Williamsport | $80,990 | 40 | |
| 6 | Lancaster | $80,810 | 370 | |
| 7 | Chambersburg | $80,450 | 80 | |
| 8 | York | $80,380 | 300 | |
| 9 | Reading | $80,300 | 220 | |
| 10 | Lebanon | $80,270 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in State College run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $78,530 goes as far as $80,461 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$80,461US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,530 a year, 19.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $65,870 to $93,470 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $100,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Hygienists in State College, PA?
The median annual wage is $78,530, or $37.76 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 $98,100, so pay in State College, PA is 19.9% 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 State College, PA earns more than $93,470 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $65,870 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 $100,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in State College, 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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