Dental Assistant Salary in Williamsport, PA: $48,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Williamsport, PA earns a median $48,084/year (≈ $23.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Williamsport's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.3), that paycheck buys what $52,067 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Williamsport, Pennsylvania, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $48,084 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $49,579. This area's salary range reflects a diverse job market, with the lowest earning around $36,470 (P10) and the highest reaching approximately $64,102 (P90). Factors such as the EFDA expanded function rules in Pennsylvania can elevate pay for qualified dental assistants, making this profession more lucrative compared to roles that lack such credentials. This means that professionals with additional training and certification have opportunities to command higher salaries, contributing to a competitive landscape in the local dental field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,052 | $21.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,084 | $23.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,348 | $29.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,102 | $30.82 |
Median Salary Position
3.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williamsport
In Williamsport, PA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,632 (2026 est.). At $48,084, the local median is 3.02% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williamsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williamsport Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Williamsport median: $48,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williamsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $48,132 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.02% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williamsport has a cost of living 7.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williamsport, PA has a cost-of-living index of 92.35 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,084 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,067 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,190
2025 BLS Actual
$46,620
2026 Current Est.
$48,084
2019–2027 Growth
+20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Williamsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williamsport metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 13.2% from $41,190 (2019) to $46,620 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,404 (20.40%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,470 – $45,052 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,052 – $48,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,084 – $62,348 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,348 – $64,102 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Williamsport
A total of 70 dental assistants are currently employed in Williamsport, PA, providing a solid foundation for job stability in this profession. The cost of living index sits at 92.35, suggesting that while pay may not be as high as in other areas, the purchasing power for dental assistants remains relatively strong. Employers in the region, including DSO chains like Heartland and Pacific Dental, typically offer more advantageous pay scales compared to smaller general practices. Variations in salary often depend on specialization, with orthodontic and surgical practices paying significantly more than general dentistry settings. To maximize earning potential, dental assistants should consider pursuing EFDA certification, seeking roles in high-demand specialties, or exploring hybrid positions that allow for treatment coordination responsibilities.
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
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 $46,620 for dental assistantsin the Williamsport 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
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