Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Pennsylvania
The median dentist earns $163,390 a year in Pennsylvania ($78.56 an hour), with the middle half earning between $112,640 and $210,650.[1]
25th percentile
$112,640
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$163,390
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$210,650
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $163,390 per year or $78.56/hr at the median. Pennsylvania runs about 4% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Pennsylvania
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dentists in Pennsylvania earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Pennsylvania hourly | Pennsylvania annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31.50 | $65,520 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $54.15 | $112,640 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $78.56 | $163,390 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $101.27 | $210,650 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $152.38 | $316,950 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $83.03 | $172,710 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Pennsylvania
4,460
0.74
0.92
How Pennsylvania compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $163,390 in Pennsylvania vs. $170,950 nationally, $7,560 (4%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $65,520 vs. $86,250, 24% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $316,950 vs. $319,630, about the same.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 3.4% in Pennsylvania vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Pennsylvania
All 14 Pennsylvania metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsport | $204,660 | $158,900–$221,320 | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $195,480 | $156,000–$207,630 | 170 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $193,760 | $137,400–$321,250 | 130 |
| State College | $168,340 | $134,150–$203,590 | 60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $163,390 | $119,990–$215,420 | 2,570 |
| Chambersburg | $160,720 | $132,270–$203,050 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $155,750 | $112,640–$219,020 | 320 |
| Pittsburgh | $155,250 | $134,440–$215,280 | 1,050 |
| Reading | $151,850 | $107,730–$215,100 | 120 |
| York-Hanover | $150,290 | $108,690–$206,610 | 80 |
| Lancaster | $141,960 | $106,380–$210,030 | 170 |
| Erie | $137,530 | $98,970–$194,030 | 80 |
| Johnstown | $127,110 | $95,200–$191,180 | 40 |
| Altoona | $117,110 | $112,130–$172,110 | 30 |
Job outlook for dentists in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 3.4% over 2024–2034, from 4,620 to 4,780 jobs, with about 140 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dentist (all dentists, including specialists) employment to grow 6% over 2025–35, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
Licensing for dentists in Pennsylvania
Licensing board: Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry[5] (licenses dentists, dental hygienists, public health dental hygiene practitioners and EFDAs)
What drives dentist pay in Pennsylvania
Pay for a dentist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dentist roles in Pennsylvania, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Pennsylvania: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage for dentists in Pennsylvania was $163,390 ($78.56 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $112,640 and $210,650. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $65,520 and the top 10% earned over $316,950. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Pennsylvania earn more than the national median?
No. The Pennsylvania median of $163,390 is lower than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $7,560 (4%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Pennsylvania metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 14 Pennsylvania metro areas with published BLS data, Williamsport has the highest median at $204,660 a year. Altoona has the lowest, at $117,110.
How many dentists work in Pennsylvania?
BLS estimates 4,460 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Pennsylvania in May 2025. That is 0.74 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.92, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 3.4% over 2024–2034, from 4,620 to 4,780 jobs. That works out to about 140 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Who licenses dentists in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry. Confirm current requirements on the board's website before you apply.
Hiring in Pennsylvania?
Fill dentist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Pennsylvania
- Dental Hygienist salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Assistant salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Specialist salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Front Office salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Office Manager salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Pennsylvania
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, General (29-1021), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Pennsylvania long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)
- 5.Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry