Parent-only Financial Information - Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 25,951	$ 31,399	$ 24,393	$ 30,890	$ 35,763	$ 35,468	$ 19,243	$ 27,913	$ 112,633	$ 118,387	$ 93,949
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
ESOP expense									4,533	4,516	4,600
SAP allocation									6,671	6,046	4,963
Stock option allocation									181	190	203
Decrease (increase) in other assets									(46,237)	5,266	(52,078)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities									25,312	4,817	6,142
Net cash provided by operating activities									136,925	155,719	117,220
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									42,867	46,705	(306,337)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock									(19,867)	(13,172)	(443)
Purchase of employee restricted shares to fund statutory tax withholding									(1,985)	(1,896)	(778)
Cash dividends paid									(72,809)	(53,604)	(59,980)
Shares issued dividend reinvestment plan									2,230	1,709	2,114
Stock options exercised									139	1,007	2,954
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities									(135,705)	(250,597)	235,654
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				142,661				190,834	142,661	190,834	144,297
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	186,748				142,661				186,748	142,661	190,834
Provident Financial Services, Inc.
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income									112,633	118,387	93,949
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Earnings in excess of dividends (equity in undistributed net income) of subsidiary									(39,511)	(62,573)	(33,446)
ESOP expense									4,533	4,516	4,600
SAP allocation									6,671	6,046	4,963
Stock option allocation									181	190	203
Increase in due to subsidiary—SAP									3,745	3,577	1,415
Decrease (increase) in other assets									21,285	(18,598)	(34,919)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities									(734)	396	(114)
Net cash provided by operating activities									108,803	51,941	36,651
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net decrease in ESOP loan									5,643	4,663	4,552
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									5,643	4,663	4,552
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock									(19,867)	(13,172)	(443)
Purchase of employee restricted shares to fund statutory tax withholding									(1,985)	(1,896)	(778)
Cash dividends paid									(72,809)	(53,604)	(59,980)
Shares issued dividend reinvestment plan									2,230	1,709	2,114
Stock options exercised									139	1,007	2,954
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities									(92,292)	(65,956)	(56,133)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									22,154	(9,352)	(14,930)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				$ 7,569				$ 16,921	7,569	16,921	31,851
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 29,723				$ 7,569				$ 29,723	$ 7,569	$ 16,921