Dental Assistant Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $47,379 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $47,379/year (≈ $22.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $48,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the projected dental assistant salary for 2026 reflects local economic conditions and demand within the dental community. With a median annual salary of $47,379, dental assistants here earn slightly less than the national median of $49,579, indicating a variance of around 4.44%. The local salary range highlights the diversity in compensation, from the lower end at $36,888 to the upper end nearing $59,158. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, demonstrate that the specialized skills in oral surgery and orthodontics can add significant earning potential for qualified candidates in this region.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,888 | $17.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,541 | $20.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,379 | $22.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,379 | $27.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,158 | $28.45 |
Median Salary Position
4.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,270 (2026 est.). At $47,379, the local median is 4.44% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $47,379/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $48,150 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -4.44% less |
Dental Assistants in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $47,379 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.44% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $48,150.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,379 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,644 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,302
2025 BLS Actual
$45,937
2026 Current Est.
$47,379
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,302 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,353 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,945 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,831 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,475 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,174 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,937 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,379 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,867 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,302 (2019) to $45,937 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,867 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,565 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,888 – $43,541 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,541 – $47,379 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,379 – $56,379 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,379 – $59,158 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
The job market in Wilkes-Barre shows a modest presence, with only 11 dental assistants employed locally, reflecting both challenges and opportunities in the field. The cost of living index at 97.4 suggests that while salaries are slightly below national averages, purchasing power remains relatively stable. Among local employers, those in orthodontic practices and oral surgery likely offer higher compensation compared to general dental offices. Factors such as specialty training, expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials, and roles that combine treatment coordination can significantly influence pay. To maximize earnings in Wilkes-Barre, aspiring dental assistants should pursue additional certifications, consider employment with larger dental service organizations (DSOs), and seek roles that provide opportunities for mentorship or advancement within specialty practices.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,937 for dental assistantsin the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilkes-Barre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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