Thinking of becoming a dental hygienist in Pennsylvania? If you already live in Pennsylvania, you know that it’s one of the most exciting states in the Mid-Atlantic region. If you’re not in Pennsylvania yet, and wondering whether you’d like to study and work there, here is a little bit you may not know about the 6th most populous state in the US!
As one of the 13 original founding states, Pennsylvania was named for William Penn. Its motto is, “Virtue, Liberty, and Independence,” and it is known as both the Keystone State and the Quaker State. With such a rich history, Pennsylvania boasts landmarks like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Pennsylvania is also where the historic Battle of Gettysburg was fought during the Civil War.
If you live in Pennsylvania, you can enjoy the state’s many historic sites. You can also visit destinations like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museums. Other popular attractions include the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, ZOOAMERICA, and more than a dozen amusement parks. Pennsylvania is home to a number of professional sports teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Pennsylvania Dental Hygiene Programs
There are many different schools you can attend in Pennsylvania to earn your degree and fulfill the state’s licensing requirements! Here is a complete list of all dental hygienist programs in the state.
| Institute | Address | Website | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Philadelphia | CCP 1700 Spring Garden St. Philadelphia, PA 19130 | www.ccp.edu | AAS |
| Fortis Institute-Erie | 5757 West Ridge Road Erie, PA 16506 | www.Fortis.edu | AST |
| Fortis Institute-Scranton | 517 Ash Street Scranton, PA 18509 | www.fortis.edu | AST |
| Harcum College | 750 Montgomery Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 | www.harcum.edu | AS |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | One HACC Drive, SM 102 Harrisburg, PA 17110 | www.hacc.edu | AA |
| Lancaster County Career and Technology Center | 17730 Hans Herr Drive Willow Street, PA 17584 | lancasterctc.edu | AAS |
| Luzerne County Community College | 1333 S. Prospect Street Nanticoke, PA 18634 | www.luzerne.edu | AAS |
| Manor College | 700 Fox Chase Rd. Jenkintown, PA 19046 | www.manor.edu | AS |
| Montgomery County Community College | 340 Dekalb Pike Blue Bell, PA 19422 | www.mc3.edu | AAS |
| Northampton Community College | 511 E. Third Street, 3rd Floor Dental Suite Bethlehem, PA 18015 | www.northampton.edu | AAS |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | One College Avenue Williamsport, PA 17701 | www.pct.edu | AAS |
| University of Pittsburgh | B-82 Salk Hall Pittsburgh, PA 15261 | www.dental.pitt.edu | AS BS-DH |
| Westmoreland County Community College | 145 Pavilion Lane Youngwood, PA 15697 | www.wccc.edu | AAS |
License Requirements
How do you become a licensed dental hygienist in the state of Pennsylvania?
- You must complete a program in dental hygiene accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA).
- Once you complete your program of study, you need to submit a certification of graduation.
- You will have to take and pass the written National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as well as the CDCA exam.
- You will need your transcripts as well as letters of recommendation.
- You do not need a CPR certification, though it may help you be more competitive.
- Pennsylvania does not offer a temporary license, teacher license, or retired/inactive license.
- A background check may be required. If you have committed a serious misdemeanor or felony, the board may deny you your license.
Dental Hygienist Salary in Pennsylvania
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dental hygienists are in high demand throughout the country, and demand is increasing much faster than average at a rate of 20%. As of 2012, there were 192,800 dental hygienists throughout the US. But how much of that demand is focused in Pennsylvania? And how much money can you expect to make there?
Pennsylvania has more than 9,640 dental hygienists hard at work! On average, those hygienists make $67,010 each year, which comes out to around $32.22 per hour. This actually amounts to a little less than the average pay reported by the BLS.
So Pennsylvania may not pay as much to dental hygienists as some other states, but the demand is high compared to many other states. In fact, Pennsylvania employs more dental hygienists than most other states in the country! This is not surprising, considering the high population density of PA. So if what you are looking for is steady work, Pennsylvania is probably a great state to choose for your education and employment.
| Area Name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton | 710 | $31.24 | $64,990 |
| Altoona | 70 | $23.72 | $49,330 |
| Bloomsburg, Berwick | 60 | $29.42 | $61,190 |
| Chambersburg, Waynesboro | 130 | $34.63 | $72,030 |
| East Stroudsburg | 110 | $29.06 | $60,450 |
| Erie | 200 | $29.55 | $61,470 |
| Gettysburg | 50 | $31.66 | $65,860 |
| Harrisburg, Carlisle | 450 | $32.35 | $67,290 |
| Johnstown | - | $31.41 | $65,330 |
| Lancaster | 550 | $34.73 | $72,230 |
| Lebanon | 90 | $37.64 | $78,300 |
| Northern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 240 | $25.75 | $53,560 |
| Philadelphia, Camden, Wilmington | 4010 | $36.97 | $76,890 |
| Pittsburgh | 2120 | $29.30 | $60,940 |
| Reading | 330 | $35.40 | $73,640 |
| Scranton, Wilkes, Barre, Hazleton | 520 | $24.87 | $51,740 |
| Southern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 260 | $28.44 | $59,160 |
| State College | - | $26.29 | $54,690 |
| Western Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 210 | $25.82 | $53,700 |
| Williamsport | - | $31.43 | $65,370 |
| York, Hanover | 340 | $33.32 | $69,300 |
Neighboring states
Pennsylvania is bounded to the north and east by New York state; to the east by New York and New Jersey; to the south by Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia; and to the west by the panhandle of West Virginia and by Ohio.