Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Williamsport, PA: $23.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Williamsport, PA runs $23.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,084 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Williamsport's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.3, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,846 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Williamsport, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to be $23.11 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $23.84. This rate provides a foundation for various work arrangements, including part-time roles and per-diem positions in general dentistry, pediatric, orthodontic, and surgical settings. Entry-level dental assistants can expect to earn around $17.53 per hour, while top earners in the field may achieve hourly wages up to $30.82. Given the diverse work environments, including dental school clinics and specialized practices, hourly rates vary broadly based on experience and specific job responsibilities. This official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates a growing field, with more opportunities emerging as healthcare services expand.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.53 | $140.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.66 | $173.28 |
| Median (P50) | $23.11 | $184.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.97 | $239.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.82 | $246.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Williamsport
Based on $23.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.11/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Williamsport, PA can expect to earn approximately $48,076 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,736. With a cost-of-living index of 92.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Williamsport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Williamsport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $924.55 | $4,006 | $48,076 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $554.73 | $2,404 | $28,846 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $369.82 | $1,603 | $19,231 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Williamsport) | $23.11 |
| 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 Williamsport, PA earn a median of $48,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.02% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $48,132.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.11/hr = $28,846/year (purchasing power: $31,235).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,076/year (purchasing power: $52,059).
CoL index: 92.35 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Williamsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Williamsport grew 13.2% from $19.80/hr (2019) to $22.41/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.84/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 Williamsport 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 Williamsport
When considering a part-time schedule of three days per week, a dental assistant in Williamsport may earn about $30,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time worker who would bring home approximately $48,000. For those seeking flexible work arrangements, per-diem dental assistants typically charge between $22 and $35 per hour, with rates for specialized fields like oral surgery and orthodontics reaching as high as $45 per hour. Employers across Williamsport vary widely, from solo dental practices to large DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, influencing the pay potential significantly. While some dental assistants may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others prioritize higher hourly wages without those perks. For applicants negotiating their pay, understanding the local market and specific employer needs can provide leverage, especially in a competitive environment shaped by evolving practices and expanded responsibilities across the board.
More salary data for Williamsport, 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 Williamsport. 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