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2026 Salary Data — Philadelphia, PA
Updated April 28, 2026

Dentist Salary in Philadelphia: $178K Median

Dentists in Philadelphia, PA earn between $135K and $296K per year.

That's +4% above the US national median of $170,910 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Dentist salary in Philadelphia, PA is $177,746 per year — +4% above the US national median of $170,910. Salaries range from $135,200 (entry, 25th percentile) to $296,400 (90th percentile). Dentists in Philadelphia earned approximately $26,931 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$177,746
+560.0% YoY · $14,812/mo
Entry
$145,600
0–2 years
Experienced
$260,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$296,400
Senior/lead
Dentist Salary — Philadelphia vs Nearby
Philadelphia
$178K
Las Vegas
$162K
+9% vs Philadelphia
Minneapolis
$188K
-5% vs Philadelphia
Chicago
$179K
-1% vs Philadelphia

Free ATS scan · Philadelphia employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Dentists in Philadelphia

Dentists diagnose and treat oral health conditions through preventive care, fillings, extractions, and specialty procedures.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient examinations
  • Restorative procedures
  • Preventive care
  • Treatment planning
  • Practice management

Education & Certifications

Typical path: DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program)

In-demand certifications

DDS or DMDState dental licenseDEA registrationCPR

Philadelphia Job Market

Major East Coast medical, education, and pharmaceutical hub.

Population
1584K
Cost of Living
109
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.6%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in Philadelphia

HealthcareEducationFinancePharmaceuticalsManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Dentists

Major employers active in Philadelphia or hiring remotely from this metro.

Private practices (most)
Heartland Dental
Aspen Dental
Pacific Dental Services
Hospital systems

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Dentist listings.

Digital dentistryCosmetic proceduresPractice managementCAD/CAM (CEREC)Implants

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

DDSpatient carerestorative dentistrypreventive careCERECpractice management
Career Outlook
+4% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+.

Dentist Salary Breakdown — Philadelphia

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$135,200$177,746$296,400
Monthly$11,267$14,812$24,700
Weekly$2,600$3,418$5,700
Hourly$65$85$143

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($170,910) adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Dentist Take-Home Pay in Philadelphia

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$120,126.166
Per month$10,011
Biweekly paycheck$4,620
Effective tax rate32.4%

Tax Breakdown on $177,746

Gross salary$177,746
Federal income tax−$32,002.04
Pennsylvania state tax−$5,456.802
Philadelphia local tax−$6,665.475
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$13,495.517
Take-home (net)$120,126.166

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Dentist Salary by Experience — Philadelphia

Career-stage progression for Dentists in Philadelphia.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$133,952
2–3 yr$145,600
4–6 yr$202,800
7–10 yr$260,000
11–15 yr$306,800
15+ yr$278,200

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Philadelphia's 1.04× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$26,931
2026 median:$177,746
Change:+$150,815

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Digital dentistry and Cosmetic procedures.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$163,070
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Dentist Salary in Philadelphia

Walk-away anchor: $161,587 (offers below this are below market for Philadelphia).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $260K–$296K for experienced roles, citing Philadelphia market data and your specific Digital dentistry/Cosmetic procedures expertise.

Dentist Salary FAQ — Philadelphia

What is the average Dentist salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The average Dentist salary in Philadelphia is $177,746 per year as of April 2026 — $14,812/month, $3,418/week, or about $85/hour. Salaries range from $135,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $296,400 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×).
Is $177,746 a good Dentist salary in Philadelphia?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Philadelphia's cost-of-living index is 109 (vs 100 nationally), giving $177,746 a real purchasing power of approximately $163,070 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $177,746 in Philadelphia?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Philadelphia specifically (median home price $285,000), a $177,746 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $177,746 enough for a single person in Philadelphia?
A single adult in Philadelphia typically needs ~$49,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $177,746 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $177,746 enough for a couple in Philadelphia?
A couple (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$78,480 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $177,746 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $177,746 each ($355,492 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $177,746 enough for a family of 4 in Philadelphia?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$119,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $177,746 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Dentist income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Philadelphia typically run $16K-$31K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Philadelphia?
On a $177,746 Dentist salary in Philadelphia, PA, you take home approximately $120,126.166 per year ($10,011/month, $4,620 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $32,002.04, state $5,456.802, local $6,665.475, FICA $13,495.517. Effective tax rate: 32.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Dentists in Philadelphia earn compared to the US average?
Dentists in Philadelphia earn approximately 4% more than the US national median for this role ($170,910 nationally vs $177,746 in Philadelphia). However, Philadelphia's cost-of-living index of 109 means real purchasing power is approximately $163,070 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Dentist earn in Philadelphia?
Entry-level Dentists in Philadelphia typically start at around $145,600 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Dentists earn $260,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $296,400+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Dentist salaries in Philadelphia increase in 2026?
Yes — Dentist salaries in Philadelphia grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $26,931 in 2025 to $177,746 in 2026 (+$150,815). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Digital dentistry and Cosmetic procedures demand.
What's the job outlook for Dentists in Philadelphia?
Dentist roles growing 4%. Specialty dentists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earning $300K+. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.6% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Dentists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Dentists are: Digital dentistry, Cosmetic procedures, Practice management, CAD/CAM (CEREC), Implants. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Philadelphia.
Who are the top employers hiring Dentists in Philadelphia?
Top employers hiring Dentists in or near Philadelphia include: Private practices (most), Heartland Dental, Aspen Dental, Pacific Dental Services, Hospital systems. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Dentist salary in Philadelphia?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Dentist salary in Philadelphia?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Digital dentistry, Cosmetic procedures, Practice management) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., DDS or DMD or State dental license). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Dentist in Philadelphia?
DDS or DMD (4-year doctoral program) is the typical path. However, Philadelphia's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Dentist salary figures for Philadelphia are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($170,910) by Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.04× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Philadelphia

Physician →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Nurse Practitioner →

Dentist Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$179KHouston, TX$179KPhoenix, AZ$171KDallas, TX$179KFort Worth, TX$174KCharlotte, NC$174KNashville, TN$171KSacramento, CA$185K

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