Dental Hygienist salary in Pennsylvania
Dental Hygienists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,610 a year ($38.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,540 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pennsylvania ranks 46th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.3 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| 25th percentile | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Median | $80,610 | $38.76 |
| 75th percentile | $99,950 | $48.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,540 | $49.78 |
| Average (mean) | $84,260 | $40.51 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,717.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,358.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,100.38 |
| Weekly | $1,550.19 |
| Hourly | $38.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $100,820 | 4,180 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $84,100 | 390 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $82,920 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $82,060 | 530 |
| Williamsport, PA | $80,990 | 40 |
| Lancaster, PA | $80,810 | 370 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $80,450 | 80 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $80,380 | 300 |
| Reading, PA | $80,300 | 220 |
| Lebanon, PA | $80,270 | 60 |
| State College, PA | $78,530 | 130 |
| Erie, PA | $77,360 | 140 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,960 | 1,580 |
| Altoona, PA | $75,070 | 90 |
| Johnstown, PA | $74,450 | 60 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $70,730 | 400 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $217,310 | $104.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,140 | $62.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Dentists, General | $163,390 | $78.56 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $306,030 | $147.13 |
| Veterinarian | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $221,530 | $106.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Pennsylvania?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Pennsylvania is $80,610 a year, or $38.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Pennsylvania earn at least $103,540 a year. The top 25% earn $99,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,130 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $75,620 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Pennsylvania?
About 7,970 dental hygienists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.