Dental Hygienist salary in State College, PA
Dental Hygienists in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $78,530 a year ($37.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,470 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $80,610. There are 1.8 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,810, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| 25th percentile | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| Median | $78,530 | $37.76 |
| 75th percentile | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,470 | $44.94 |
| Average (mean) | $77,810 | $37.41 |
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 | $6,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,272.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,020.38 |
| Weekly | $1,510.19 |
| Hourly | $37.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,970 | $47.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| Pharmacist | $135,010 | $64.91 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,480 | $61.77 |
| Dentists, General | $168,340 | $80.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,690 | $35.43 |
| Veterinarian | $131,500 | $63.22 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,940 | $45.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $62,040 | $29.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,460 | $46.37 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $43,980 | $21.15 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the State College, PA metro area is $78,530 a year, or $37.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $93,470 a year. The top 25% earn $78,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,870 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $76,150 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in State College, PA?
About 130 dental hygienists are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.