Pennsylvania ranks 15th of 51 states and D.C. for dental assistants pay, trailing top-paying Minnesota ($64,630) by $16,340 — a 34% gap.
Pennsylvania employs roughly 3.3% of all dental assistants in the country (12,410 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| 25th percentile | $40,340 | $19.39 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| 75th percentile | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Mean (average) | $49,760 | $23.93 |
How Pennsylvania Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania (current) | $48,290 | n/a |
| Minnesota | $64,630 | +34% |
| Massachusetts | $57,960 | +20% |
| Oregon | $57,720 | +20% |
| Washington | $57,040 | +18% |
| District of Columbia | $56,500 | +17% |
| Alaska | $55,950 | +16% |
| Maine | $51,340 | +6% |
| North Dakota | $51,310 | +6% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Pennsylvania
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $48,330 | 4,900 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $48,210 | 7,450 |
| Construction Laborers | $48,480 | 38,350 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $48,010 | 4,300 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,900 | 46,220 |
| Biological Technicians | $47,820 | 3,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Dental Assistants salary in Pennsylvania?
The mean dental assistants salary in Pennsylvania is $49,760 per year. The median (middle) salary is $48,290 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Dental Assistants in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level dental assistantss (10th percentile) in Pennsylvania typically earn around $36,670 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $40,340 per year.
What is the highest Dental Assistants salary in Pennsylvania?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Pennsylvania make approximately $61,580 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $57,400 per year.
How does the Pennsylvania Dental Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median dental assistants salary in Pennsylvania is $48,290, which is +2% above national average of $47,300.