How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make in State College, PA in 2026?
Typical pay for Dental Hygienists in State College, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Pennsylvania.
BLS OES May 2025 · State College metro area
A typical Dental Hygienist in State College, Pennsylvania earns $37.76 per hour, or $78,530 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $6,544 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $65,870, and the top 10% of earners make over $93,470.
That pay is 3% below the Pennsylvania figure of $80,610 and 20% below the national figure of $98,100. State College ranks 11th of 16 metro areas in Pennsylvania for Dental Hygienist pay. About 130 Dental Hygienists work in the State College area.
Dental Hygienist pay in State College at a glance
- Typical pay is $37.76 an hour, or $78,530 a year.
- That is 3% below the Pennsylvania figure, ranking 11th of 16 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $65,870; the top 10% make over $93,470.
- Typical pay rose +33% from 2015 to 2025, against +30% for Pennsylvania as a whole.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Dental Hygienist make in State College?
Pay in State College runs from entry-level positions at around $31.67 an hour to more than $44.94 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Pennsylvania and national figures.
Dental Hygienist pay by career stage in State College
| Career stage | State College | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $65,870$31.67 an hour | $63,130$30.35 an hour | $74,880$36.00 an hour |
| First years | $76,150$36.61 an hour | $75,620$36.36 an hour | $83,570$40.18 an hour |
| Typical Dental Hygienist | $78,530$37.76 an hour | $80,610$38.76 an hour | $98,100$47.16 an hour |
| Experienced | $78,920$37.94 an hour | $99,950$48.05 an hour | $108,480$52.16 an hour |
| Top 10% | $93,470$44.94 an hour | $103,540$49.78 an hour | $126,050$60.60 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the State College area as BLS defines it
Dental Hygienist pay growth in State College
Typical (median) annual wage for Dental Hygienists in the State College area · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, typical Dental Hygienist pay in State College was $59,110 a year. By 2025 it had reached $78,530, a change of +33%, compared with +30% for Pennsylvania over the same years.
How State College compares with other Pennsylvania cities
Philadelphia pays Dental Hygienists the most in Pennsylvania at $100,820 a year, $22,290 more than State College. The lowest-paying area in the state is Scranton at $70,730.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs State College | Dental Hygienists employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $100,820 | $48.47 | +28% | 4,180 |
| 2 | Carlisle metro incl. Harrisburg | $84,100 | $40.43 | +7% | 390 |
| 3 | Gettysburg | $82,920 | $39.86 | +6% | 40 |
| 4 | Allentown | $82,060 | $39.45 | +4% | 530 |
| 5 | Williamsport | $80,990 | $38.94 | +3% | 40 |
| 6 | Lancaster | $80,810 | $38.85 | +3% | 370 |
| 7 | Chambersburg | $80,450 | $38.68 | +2% | 80 |
| 8 | Hanover metro incl. York | $80,380 | $38.64 | +2% | 300 |
| 9 | Reading | $80,300 | $38.61 | +2% | 220 |
| 10 | Lebanon | $80,270 | $38.59 | +2% | 60 |
| 11 | State College | $78,530 | $37.76 | this city | 130 |
| 12 | Erie | $77,360 | $37.19 | -1% | 140 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh | $75,960 | $36.52 | -3% | 1,580 |
| 14 | Altoona | $75,070 | $36.09 | -4% | 90 |
| 15 | Johnstown | $74,450 | $35.79 | -5% | 60 |
| 16 | Barre | $70,730 | $34.00 | -10% | 400 |
Every metro area in Pennsylvania with Dental Hygienist wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Pennsylvania typical pay $80,610
Is State College a good place to work as a Dental Hygienist?
Dental Hygienists in State College earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $78,530 a year, 20% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the State College area, about 1.9 are Dental Hygienist positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.5. That makes the local economy more reliant on Dental Hygienists than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Dental Hygienist make in State College, PA?
- A typical Dental Hygienist in State College earns $78,530 a year, or $37.76 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $65,870 and the top 10% earn over $93,470.
- How much does a Dental Hygienist make an hour in State College?
- Typical hourly pay for Dental Hygienists in State College is $37.76. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $31.67, and the top 10% earn over $44.94 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Dental Hygienist in State College?
- Entry-level Dental Hygienist positions in State College typically offer around $31.67 an hour, or $65,870 a year.
- Is Dental Hygienist pay in State College higher than in the rest of Pennsylvania?
- State College pay is 3% below the Pennsylvania figure of $80,610 a year, ranking 11th of 16 metro areas in the state. Philadelphia pays the most in Pennsylvania at $100,820.