How to Become a Dental Assistant in Pennsylvania (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Pennsylvania employs about 12,080 dental assistants earning a median $47,930 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
177.6Contact school for pricing$48,90290%—33 mi
275.3Contact school for pricing$47,03792%—54 mi
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371.8Contact school for pricing$66,316Not reportedYes*60 mi
471.1Contact school for pricing$54,05836%Yes*68 mi
Sponsored Ad
566.8Contact school for pricing$40,19243%Yes*30 mi
664.1Contact school for pricing$56,03782%—45 mi
Sponsored Ad
762.1Contact school for pricing$55,82738%Yes*65 mi
847.6$19,854 - $27,116$52,31843%Yes*5 mi
Sponsored Ad
944.8Contact school for pricingNot reported70%—52 mi
1037.5Contact school for pricing$54,03121%Yes*6 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

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 licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Pennsylvania

How to become a Dental Assistant in Pennsylvania? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board.

Do I need a license in Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania credentials this role through Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board 3. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Pennsylvania

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most Pennsylvania dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board.
  2. Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in Pennsylvania. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board.
  4. Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Pennsylvania

Dental assistants in Pennsylvania typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board requires. See Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet the program’s entry rules.

  2. Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.

  3. Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.

  4. Apply to Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington6,510$49,570$52,220$40,040$69,250
Pittsburgh2,260$47,690$50,700$38,930$60,470
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton970$47,590$50,000$37,720$62,670
Harrisburg-Carlisle720$47,420$50,210$38,310$61,150
Lancaster630$47,310$49,460$37,650$62,130
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre450$47,220$44,890$35,440$56,520
Reading370$47,160$49,340$38,150$61,520
York-Hanover350$46,550$51,230$38,780$70,410
Erie230$44,930$45,360$35,570$58,880
State College150$46,210$46,950$36,540$61,360
Chambersburg120$46,200$49,700$37,470$68,060
Johnstown110$43,370$43,470$35,220$56,570
Altoona90$45,310$44,440$35,480$58,180
Lebanon80$46,740$51,130$38,270$61,330
Gettysburg70$45,930$46,060$37,030$59,840
Williamsport70$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 .

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 - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In Pennsylvania

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Department of State - Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs - Dentistry Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Dentistry/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)