NC · Wake Forest · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Hygienist jobs in Wake Forest, NC

Dental Hygienists in the Wake Forest area earn a median of $46.56 per hour, about $96,850 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $38.52 and $48.00. That ranks 79th of 369 U.S. metro areas for dental hygienist pay, and 79th of 332 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Wake Forest.

Dental Hygienist pay in Wake Forest, NC

The metro median is 8% above the North Carolina statewide median of $43.14 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.32 per hour. BLS counts about 1,070 dental hygienists employed in the Raleigh-Cary metro area, 1.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.04).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$37.64$78,29017% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$38.52$80,12015% below U.S. median
Median$46.56$96,8503% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$48.00$99,8406% above U.S. median
Top 10%$48.22$100,3006% above U.S. median

How Wake Forest ranks

  • 79th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 79th of 332 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 13 North Carolina metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Wake Forest

  • Overall prices in Raleigh-Cary run 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.5).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $46.56 median hour buys what $47.43 buys at the national price level, 5% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Wake Forest, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Wake Forest paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,676
  • Per year: $83,808
  • Per month: $6,984

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Raleigh-Cary metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Open Dental Hygienist roles in North Carolina

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Wake Forest as they open.

PermanentPosted today

Dental Hygienist

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Bragg, NC

$53k–$69k/ year
  • Full-time
  • Req 888842900
New this week
View role

All Dental Hygienist jobs in North Carolina

Dental health shortage areas in Wake County

HRSA lists 7 active dental health shortage designations that include Wake County (2 population-group, 5 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Hygienist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Raleigh, NC12 mi$46.56/hr499,825
Cary, NC21 mi$46.56/hr182,659
Durham, NC22 mi$47.17/hr301,870
Chapel Hill, NC30 mi$47.17/hr64,028
Rocky Mount, NC39 mi$39.29/hr54,541
Burlington, NC54 mi$43.65/hr61,365

Dental Hygienist jobs in North Carolina · Dental Hygienist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in North Carolina

Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what North Carolina requires for your role with the North Carolina licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

North Carolina taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

North Carolina state guide

Other healthcare roles in Wake Forest

Wake Forest city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Wake Forest, NC?

Dental Hygienists in the Raleigh-Cary metro area have a median pay of $46.56 per hour, about $96,850 a year. The middle half earn between $38.52 and $48.00 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Wake Forest a good place for dental hygienists once cost of living is counted?

Raleigh-Cary ranks 79th of 332 metro areas for dental hygienist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 79th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.

Do I need a North Carolina license to work in Wake Forest as a dental hygienist?

Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what North Carolina requires for your role with the North Carolina licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Wake Forest in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 7 active dental health shortage designations that include Wake County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental hygienists in Wake Forest?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Wake Forest and across North Carolina. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Wake Forest.

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Hygienist near Wake Forest, NC
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Hygienist pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your North Carolina list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • PDS HealthEverett, WA · 3 postings$77.50/ hr$70–$85
  • PDS HealthPortland, OR · 3 postings$69.00/ hr$58–$80
  • Smile BrandsBonney Lake, WA · 11 postings$68.50/ hr$52–$72
  • BenevisVirginia Beach, VA · 5 postings$65.00/ hr$60–$70

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your North Carolina list

2What they are offering now

Low$39Median$54.00High$65

345 Hygienist postings with published pay in the US, 190 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 2 Hygienist roles

  1. Dental HygienistPermanent
    $53k–$69k/ year
    Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Bragg, NC · posted today
  2. Dental Hygienist (RDH)Permanent
    $55.00–$60.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Concord, NC · posted 30+ days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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