Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Erie, PA: $22.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Erie, PA runs $22.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,341 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Erie's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,803 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, dental assistants are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $22.28 based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, which is lower than the national median of $23.84. This hourly wage provides a viable income for both full-time employees and those seeking part-time or per-diem positions across a variety of dental settings, including general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, and specialized oral surgery suites. With an hourly range stretching from $17.64 for entry-level roles to $29.20 for experienced practitioners, opportunities exist for dental assistants to tailor their work scheduling to suit their lifestyle needs, whether they prefer the stability of a three-day workweek or the flexibility of per-diem shifts.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.64 | $141.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.94 | $151.49 |
| Median (P50) | $22.28 | $178.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.38 | $187.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.20 | $233.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Erie
Based on $22.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.28/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Erie, PA can expect to earn approximately $46,339 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,734. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Erie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Erie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $891.13 | $3,862 | $46,339 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $534.68 | $2,317 | $27,803 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $356.45 | $1,545 | $18,535 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Erie) | $22.28 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Erie, PA earn a median of $46,341 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.53% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.70% below the Pennsylvania state average of $48,121.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.28/hr = $27,803/year (purchasing power: $30,570).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,339/year (purchasing power: $50,950).
CoL index: 90.95 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Erie grew 42.1% from $15.20/hr (2019) to $21.60/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.98/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Erie
For part-time dental assistants working approximately 24 hours a week, the annual income translates into a take-home of around $27,000, while those in full-time positions may find themselves earning significantly more. Per diem dental assistant pay in Erie typically hovers between $22 and $35 an hour, with certain specialty fields like oral surgery and orthodontics offering even higher rates that range from $28 to $45 per hour. Rates can differ substantially based on the employing organization, as dental assistants in general practices may earn less compared to those in more specialized settings. While some dental assistants might choose to accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others may prefer higher pay without benefits. Negotiating pay in Erie could involve highlighting specific skills or certifications, such as those from DANB or the ADAA, thereby increasing an applicant's desirability to employers, especially in a market influenced by the recent consolidation of dental service organizations.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Erie in 2026?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Erie. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov