How to Become A Dental Assistant in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania employs approximately 12,080 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,930 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a dental assistant in Pennsylvania, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Pennsylvania
How do I become a dental assistant in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania requires credentials such as Expanded Function Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Dental Anesthesia Permit. The licensing authority is the Department of State - Dentistry Board 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Department of State - Dentistry Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Pennsylvania is $47,930 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,040 and experienced professionals can earn $61,430 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of State - Dentistry Board
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $47,930 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Pennsylvania
The Department of State - Dentistry Board oversees dental assistant licensing in Pennsylvania 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Expanded Function Dental Assistant | Certification to perform reversible intraoral procedures under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. |
| Dental Hygienist | Perform educational, preventive, and therapeutic services and procedures. |
| Dental Anesthesia Permit | DA - To administer general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. DP - To administer conscious sedation on an outpatient basis. DN - To administer analgesia on an outpatient basis. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Felony convictions prohibited
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 6,510 | $49,570 | $52,220 | $40,040 | $69,250 |
| Pittsburgh | 2,260 | $47,690 | $50,700 | $38,930 | $60,470 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 970 | $47,590 | $50,000 | $37,720 | $62,670 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 720 | $47,420 | $50,210 | $38,310 | $61,150 |
| Lancaster | 630 | $47,310 | $49,460 | $37,650 | $62,130 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 450 | $47,220 | $44,890 | $35,440 | $56,520 |
| Reading | 370 | $47,160 | $49,340 | $38,150 | $61,520 |
| York-Hanover | 350 | $46,550 | $51,230 | $38,780 | $70,410 |
| Erie | 230 | $44,930 | $45,360 | $35,570 | $58,880 |
| State College | 150 | $46,210 | $46,950 | $36,540 | $61,360 |
| Chambersburg | 120 | $46,200 | $49,700 | $37,470 | $68,060 |
| Johnstown | 110 | $43,370 | $43,470 | $35,220 | $56,570 |
| Altoona | 90 | $45,310 | $44,440 | $35,480 | $58,180 |
| Lebanon | 80 | $46,740 | $51,130 | $38,270 | $61,330 |
| Gettysburg | 70 | $45,930 | $46,060 | $37,030 | $59,840 |
| Williamsport | 70 | $46,620 | $49,880 | $35,360 | $62,150 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Pennsylvania
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Pennsylvania according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 6,510 | $49,570 |
| Pittsburgh | 2,260 | $47,690 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 970 | $47,590 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 720 | $47,420 |
| Lancaster | 630 | $47,310 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 12,080 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a dental assistant in Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of State - Dentistry Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Pennsylvania.
How much do dental assistants earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Pennsylvania is $47,930, which is $630 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of State - Dentistry Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Dentistry/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |