Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Johnstown, PA: $21.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Johnstown, PA runs $21.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,732 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Johnstown's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,838 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Johnstown, Pennsylvania, dental assistants earn a median hourly pay of $21.50, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.84. This compensation may affect those seeking part-time roles or per-diem work; for instance, a dental assistant working three days a week might find that this hourly rate can provide reasonable earnings, especially in various environments like orthodontic practices or pediatric dental offices. The hourly wage range for dental assistants in the area spans from $17.46 at the entry-level position to $28.05 for top earners, reflective of experience and specialization within settings ranging from general dentistry to oral surgery facilities. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrate an essential aspect of workforce dynamics in the dental field.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.46 | $139.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.66 | $149.26 |
| Median (P50) | $21.50 | $172.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.23 | $185.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.05 | $224.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnstown
Based on $21.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.50/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnstown, PA can expect to earn approximately $44,730 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,806. With a cost-of-living index of 85.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnstown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnstown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $860.19 | $3,727 | $44,730 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $516.11 | $2,236 | $26,838 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $344.08 | $1,491 | $17,892 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Johnstown) | $21.50 |
| 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 Johnstown, PA earn a median of $44,732 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.78% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $48,151.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.50/hr = $26,838/year (purchasing power: $31,233).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,730/year (purchasing power: $52,054).
CoL index: 85.929 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Johnstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Johnstown grew 30.1% from $16.03/hr (2019) to $20.85/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.18/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 Johnstown 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 Johnstown
Evaluating the part-time earning potential of dental assistants working in Johnstown reveals interesting insights. A dental assistant working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, could expect to earn approximately $26,880 annually. In contrast, per diem dental assistants typically bill at rates between $22 and $35 per hour for regular placements, while those in specialized roles, such as oral surgery or orthodontic practices, may command $28 to $45 per hour in per diem settings. The variability in hourly rates is evident across different types of employers in Johnstown, reflecting the differences between general dental practices and more specialized offices. Additionally, while some may choose to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer a higher hourly rate that does not provide such benefits. For dental assistants in this area, negotiating pay can be crucial; being informed about local pay scales, especially in light of chain practices that emphasize standardized training and compensation, is vital for maximizing earning potential.
More salary data for Johnstown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Johnstown. 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