Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in York, PA: $23.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in York, PA runs $23.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,012 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against York's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,807 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In York, Pennsylvania, dental assistants can expect a median hourly rate of $23.08, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $23.84. This rate provides a stable income even for part-time workers, allowing those on a typical three-day-a-week schedule to earn fairly consistent pay for their valuable skills. Whether working in general dentistry operatories or specialty settings like orthodontic practices and oral surgery suites, the hourly range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $19.24 and experienced professionals potentially exceeding $34.91 per hour. Such rates reflect the diverse work environments dental assistants find themselves in, from dental schools to different types of private dental offices. This information is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which analyzes the current labor market trends and projects future growth.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.24 | $153.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.57 | $180.54 |
| Median (P50) | $23.08 | $184.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.17 | $233.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.91 | $279.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in York
Based on $23.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.08/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in York, PA can expect to earn approximately $48,012 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,699. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in York.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in York
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $923.31 | $4,001 | $48,012 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $553.99 | $2,401 | $28,807 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $369.32 | $1,600 | $19,205 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (York) | $23.08 |
| 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 York, PA earn a median of $48,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.16% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $48,156.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.08/hr = $28,807/year (purchasing power: $30,008).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,012/year (purchasing power: $50,013).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in York grew 24.1% from $18.04/hr (2019) to $22.38/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.81/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 York 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 York
Considering the dynamics of dental assistant hourly pay in York, part-time positions often yield a different financial picture compared to full-time roles. A dental assistant working 24 hours a week can take home around $28,000 annually, a substantial figure for those balancing additional commitments. Per-diem opportunities are also prevalent, with dental assistants typically billing between $22 and $35 per hour, while specialized roles can command rates from $28 to $45 per hour. Employers across various sectors, such as general practices, pediatric offices, and periodontal clinics, each offer unique compensation structures that influence pay. Some dental assistants may choose to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others may prefer positions that pay higher without benefits. Negotiating pay becomes key; understanding the market rates can empower hourly workers to secure competitive compensation in York’s evolving dental landscape, shaped in part by the growth of DSO chains.
More salary data for York, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in York in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in York?
Are dental assistants in York paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in York?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in York?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 York. 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