New Jersey's average dentist salary of $198,290 places it above Maryland ($185,740), Connecticut ($183,990), and Pennsylvania ($172,710), but below Massachusetts ($223,200) and New York ($202,040). For most hiring situations in New Jersey, your offers will be competitive within the region without needing to match the top-paying states. If a candidate is weighing New Jersey against New York or Massachusetts, be prepared to address the gap with non-salary compensation or other factors.
Dentist salary in New Jersey (2026)
The average dentist salary in New Jersey is $198,290 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $171,330 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. New Jersey employs 2,980 dentists, and the $26,960 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dentists in New Jersey typically earn around $77,920, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed $349,780. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist hire in New Jersey, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $171,330 |
Average Annual Salary | $198,290 |
vs. National Average | 3.6% above the national mean of $191,350 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 2,980 employed dentists across New Jersey.
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Dentist salary percentiles in New Jersey
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $77,920 |
25th Percentile | $132,710 |
75th Percentile | $260,000 |
90th Percentile | $349,780 |
When setting an offer for a dentist in New Jersey, the $132,710 to $260,000 range between the 25th and 75th percentiles covers the broad middle of the market and gives you a defensible anchor for most mid-career hires. Candidates with specialized skills or established patient panels will push toward or past the $349,780 level that senior specialists in New Jersey typically reach.
Dentist salary by city in New Jersey
City | Average Annual Salary |
Trenton | $205,980 |
Newark | $202,800 |
Atlantic City | $194,080 |
Camden | $184,110 |
Location can shift your compensation budget by more than $21,000 depending on where you are hiring in New Jersey. Trenton leads at $205,980 and Camden sits at the lower end at $184,110, so employers hiring in the Philadelphia metro area can expect to set offers below the statewide average while still remaining competitive locally. Factor the specific metro into your offer range before benchmarking against the statewide figures.
How New Jersey compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
New Jersey | $198,290 | $171,330 |
Massachusetts | $223,200 | $181,600 |
New York | $202,040 | $183,060 |
Maryland | $185,740 | $168,500 |
Connecticut | $183,990 | $160,440 |
Pennsylvania | $172,710 | $163,390 |
Hiring a dentist in New Jersey sits in the middle of the Northeast market, which means your offers need to be competitive but not at the ceiling of regional pay. Massachusetts and New York both post higher averages at $223,200 and $202,040 respectively, while Maryland, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania all come in below New Jersey's $198,290 mean. If you are competing for candidates who are also considering roles in New York or Massachusetts, expect to face upward pressure on your offer.
Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in New Jersey
How does New Jersey compare to other states for dentist salary?
What do the top-earning dentists make in New Jersey?
Dentists at the 90th percentile in New Jersey earn $349,780 per year, representing the level that senior specialists in the state typically reach or exceed. The 75th percentile sits at $260,000, so the jump from a strong mid-career hire to a top-tier specialist is substantial. When recruiting for a senior or specialized role, budget toward the upper end of this range to remain competitive for experienced candidates.
What is the average dentist salary in New Jersey?
The average dentist salary in New Jersey is $198,290 per year, which sits 3.6% above the national mean of $191,350. The median of $171,330 is lower because a segment of high earners pulls the average up, so use the median as your baseline when budgeting for a typical hire. For senior or specialized roles, anchor your offer closer to the $260,000 to $349,780 range that reflects the upper half of the market.
What is the salary range for a dentist in New Jersey?
The full salary range for dentists in New Jersey runs from $77,920 at the 10th percentile to $349,780 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market, between the 25th and 75th percentiles, spans $132,710 to $260,000 and covers most mid-career hiring scenarios. Use the seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling to decide where within that range your offer should land.
Dentist salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1021 (Dentists, General).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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