Pennsylvania's average dentist salary of $172,710 sits below every comparison state in this dataset, including neighboring Ohio at $180,440 and Maryland at $185,740. This means Pennsylvania employers may have a cost advantage when hiring locally, but candidates with competing offers from New York or New Jersey at $202,040 and $198,290 respectively may expect you to close that gap. Factor in the candidate's alternative options when structuring your offer.
Dentist salary in Pennsylvania (2026)
In this article
The average dentist salary in Pennsylvania is $172,710 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $163,390 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Pennsylvania employs 4,460 dentists, and the $9,320 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dentists in Pennsylvania typically earn around $65,520, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $316,950 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist hire in Pennsylvania, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $163,390 |
Average Annual Salary | $172,710 |
vs. National Average | 9.7% below the national mean of $191,350 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 4,460 employed dentists across Pennsylvania.
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Dentist salary percentiles in Pennsylvania
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $65,520 |
25th Percentile | $112,640 |
75th Percentile | $210,650 |
90th Percentile | $316,950 |
Employers setting an offer for a dentist in Pennsylvania should expect a wide range depending on experience level. Entry-level candidates cluster near $65,520, while established practitioners with specialized skills regularly reach $210,650 or beyond at the 90th percentile of $316,950.
Dentist salary by city in Pennsylvania
City | Average Annual Salary |
Harrisburg | $216,490 |
Allentown | $192,930 |
Scranton | $192,490 |
Philadelphia | $184,110 |
Pittsburgh | $165,420 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer a dentist in Pennsylvania, so budget accordingly based on where the role sits. Harrisburg averages $216,490 compared to $165,420 in Pittsburgh, a spread of over $51,000 that can significantly shift your compensation budget depending on which market you are hiring in.
How Pennsylvania compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Pennsylvania | $172,710 | $163,390 |
New York | $202,040 | $183,060 |
New Jersey | $198,290 | $171,330 |
Virginia | $197,820 | $197,110 |
Maryland | $185,740 | $168,500 |
Ohio | $180,440 | $167,410 |
Pennsylvania is a relatively cost-effective market for dentist hiring compared to most of its neighboring states, which gives employers here a potential budget advantage when recruiting. Every comparison state in this table carries a higher average salary, with New York leading at $202,040 versus Pennsylvania's $172,710. Employers competing for candidates who have offers from New Jersey or Virginia should be prepared to close that gap for high-priority hires.
Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in Pennsylvania
How does Pennsylvania compare to other states for dentist salary?
What do the top-earning dentists make in Pennsylvania?
Dentists at the 90th percentile in Pennsylvania earn $316,950 per year. Candidates at this level typically bring specialized skills, an established patient base, or significant practice leadership experience. When recruiting for a senior or specialty role, plan your offer ceiling with this figure in mind rather than anchoring to the statewide median.
What is the salary range for a dentist in Pennsylvania?
The salary range for a dentist in Pennsylvania runs from $65,520 at the 10th percentile to $316,950 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $112,640 at the 25th percentile and $210,650 at the 75th percentile, which is where most competitive offers will land. Use the candidate's experience level and the specific demands of the role to determine where within that range your offer should fall.
What is the average dentist salary in Pennsylvania?
The average dentist salary in Pennsylvania is $172,710 per year, though the median of $163,390 is a more practical anchor for most hiring decisions. The gap between those two figures reflects a segment of higher-compensated practitioners pulling the mean upward. For budgeting purposes, start with the median and adjust based on the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
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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