Dentists, General salary in Pennsylvania
Dentists, General in Pennsylvania earn a median of $163,390 a year ($78.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $316,950 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $170,950. Pennsylvania ranks 34th of 47 states for dentists, general pay. There are 0.74 dentists, general per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $172,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dentists, general in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| 25th percentile | $112,640 | $54.15 |
| Median | $163,390 | $78.56 |
| 75th percentile | $210,650 | $101.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $316,950 | $152.38 |
| Average (mean) | $172,710 | $83.03 |
Half of dentists, general earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,615.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,807.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,284.23 |
| Weekly | $3,142.12 |
| Hourly | $78.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dentists, General salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Williamsport, PA | $204,660 | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $195,480 | 170 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $193,760 | 130 |
| State College, PA | $168,340 | 60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $163,390 | 2,570 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $160,720 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $155,750 | 320 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $155,250 | 1,050 |
| Reading, PA | $151,850 | 120 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $150,290 | 80 |
| Lancaster, PA | $141,960 | 170 |
| Erie, PA | $137,530 | 80 |
| Johnstown, PA | $127,110 | 40 |
| Altoona, PA | $117,110 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for dentists, general
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 |
| Oregon | $211,690 |
| Maine | $209,200 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 |
| Georgia | $206,760 |
| Missouri | $204,960 |
| Vermont | $204,960 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $217,310 | $104.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,140 | $62.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,610 | $38.76 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $306,030 | $147.13 |
| Veterinarian | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $221,530 | $106.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dentists, general make in Pennsylvania?
The median salary for dentists, general in Pennsylvania is $163,390 a year, or $78.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $316,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dentists, general make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of dentists, general in Pennsylvania earn at least $316,950 a year. The top 25% earn $210,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for dentists, general in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,520 a year, and a quarter of dentists, general earn $112,640 or less.
How many dentists, general work in Pennsylvania?
About 4,460 dentists, general are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.