Dental Salaries in State College, Pennsylvania

Dentist: a median of $168,340 a year ($80.94 an hour). That is $4,950 above the Pennsylvania dentist median of $163,390 and $2,610 below the national median of $170,950. It ranks 4th of the 14 Pennsylvania metro areas where BLS publishes a dentist median.

Dental Hygienist: a median of $78,530 a year ($37.76 an hour). That is $2,080 below the Pennsylvania dental hygienist median of $80,610 and $19,570 below the national median of $98,100. It ranks 11th of the 16 Pennsylvania metro areas where BLS publishes a dental hygienist median.

Dental Assistant: a median of $46,210 a year ($22.22 an hour). That is $1,720 below the Pennsylvania dental assistant median of $47,930 and $1,860 below the national median of $48,070. It ranks 11th of the 16 Pennsylvania metro areas where BLS publishes a dental assistant median.

Dentist: the middle half of State College dentists earn $134,150 to $203,590. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $104,130 (against $65,520 statewide and $86,250 nationally). The top tenth earn over $338,060 (against $316,950 statewide and $319,630 nationally). The gap between the two is $233,930.

Dental Hygienist: the middle half of State College dental hygienists earn $76,150 to $78,920. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $65,870 (against $63,130 statewide and $74,880 nationally). The top tenth earn over $93,470 (against $103,540 statewide and $126,050 nationally). The gap between the two is $27,600.

Dental Assistant: the middle half of State College dental assistants earn $39,100 to $48,900. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $36,540 (against $38,040 statewide and $37,130 nationally). The top tenth earn over $61,360 (against $61,430 statewide and $62,250 nationally). The gap between the two is $24,820.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the State College metro's 2024 price level at 96.8 (U.S. = 100), so prices overall run 3.2% below the national average, and housing costs (index 85.7) run 14.3% below. Pennsylvania as a whole sits at 97.6.

Converted to national average prices:

• Dentist: $168,340 here buys about what $173,970 buys at national average prices — $3,020 above the national median of $170,950.
• Dental Hygienist: $78,530 here buys about what $81,160 buys at national average prices — $16,940 below the national median of $98,100.
• Dental Assistant: $46,210 here buys about what $47,760 buys at national average prices — $310 below the national median of $48,070.

Dentists: about 60 jobs in the metro, or 0.883 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dentists hold a 10% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.10).

Dental Hygienists: about 130 jobs in the metro, or 1.823 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental hygienists hold a 27% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.27).

Dental Assistants: about 150 jobs in the metro, or 2.124 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental assistants hold a 15% smaller share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 0.85).

The closest metro areas with their own salary page and a published median for each role (distance between metro centers, up to 250 miles).

Dentist: Altoona (37 mi) pays $117,110, Williamsport (51 mi) pays $204,660 and Johnstown (53 mi) pays $127,110. State College's $168,340 is below 1 of the 3.

Dental Hygienist: Altoona (37 mi) pays $75,070, Williamsport (51 mi) pays $80,990 and Johnstown (53 mi) pays $74,450. State College's $78,530 is below 1 of the 3.

Dental Assistant: Altoona (37 mi) pays $45,310, Williamsport (51 mi) pays $46,620 and Johnstown (53 mi) pays $43,370. State College's $46,210 is below 1 of the 3.