Parent-only Financial Information - Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 21,515	$ 20,609	$ 21,796	$ 19,802	$ 21,219	$ 19,032	$ 16,351	$ 17,029	$ 83,722	$ 73,631	$ 70,534
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
ESOP expense									2,997	2,654	2,559
SAP allocation									4,625	6,359	4,869
Stock option allocation									272	298	297
(Decrease) increase in other assets									(4,912)	(10,660)	4,202
Decrease in other liabilities									5,373	7,721	173
Net cash provided by operating activities									114,866	108,119	119,921
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash used in investing activities									(408,683)	(80,998)	(259,344)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock									(1,988)	(4,420)	(5,899)
Cash dividends paid									(41,285)	(36,118)	(32,320)
Shares issued dividend reinvestment plan									1,447	1,336	1,244
Stock options exercised									3,166	117	354
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									292,281	(24,583)	136,824
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(1,536)	2,538	(2,599)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				103,762				101,224	103,762	101,224	103,823
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	102,226				103,762				102,226	103,762	101,224
Provident Financial Services, Inc. [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income									83,722	73,631	70,534
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Dividends in excess of earnings (equity in undistributed net income) of subsidiary									(41,589)	(36,591)	(37,269)
ESOP expense									2,997	2,654	2,559
SAP allocation									4,625	6,359	4,869
Stock option allocation									272	298	297
Decrease in due from subsidiary—SAP									5,333	3,475	5,814
(Decrease) increase in other assets									(8,406)	15,454	(6,912)
Decrease in other liabilities									(55)	(259)	(172)
Net cash provided by operating activities									46,899	65,021	39,720
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash consideration paid for business acquisition									0	(31,562)	0
Net decrease in ESOP loan									3,566	3,278	3,034
Net cash used in investing activities									3,566	(28,284)	3,034
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock									(1,988)	(4,420)	(5,899)
Cash dividends paid									(41,285)	(36,118)	(32,320)
Shares issued dividend reinvestment plan									1,447	1,336	1,186
Stock options exercised									3,166	144	412
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(38,660)	(39,058)	(36,621)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									11,805	(2,321)	6,133
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				$ 10,475				$ 12,796	10,475	12,796	6,663
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 22,280				$ 10,475				$ 22,280	$ 10,475	$ 12,796