NC · Cary · Updated October 15, 2026

Dentist jobs in Cary, NC

The median dentist pay in the Cary area is $87.51 per hour ($182,020 a year), with the typical range running from $77.82 to $107.58. That ranks 95th of 302 U.S. metro areas for dentist pay, and 122nd of 279 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Cary and its metro area. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Cary.

Open Dentist roles near Cary

Roles in other cities of the Raleigh-Cary area.

PermanentPosted 6 days ago

Dentist – DDS / DMD

Aspen Dental · Raleigh, NC

$230k–$400k/ year
  • ['FULL_TIME']
Top 25% payNew this week
View role

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Dentist pay in Cary, NC

The metro median is 5% below the North Carolina statewide median of $91.96 per hour. Nationally the median is $83.07 per hour. BLS counts about 1,090 dentists, general employed in the Raleigh-Cary metro area, 1.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 2.05).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$59.79$124,36028% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$77.82$161,8706% below U.S. median
Median$87.51$182,0205% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$107.58$223,77030% above U.S. median
Top 10%$115+$239,200+38% above U.S. median

How Cary ranks

  • 95th of 302 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 122nd of 279 after adjusting for local prices
  • 5th of 13 North Carolina metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, General (SOC 29-1021), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Cary

  • 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 $87.51 median hour buys what $89.15 buys at the national price level, 7% 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.

Estimate your Cary paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$3,150
  • Per year: $157,518
  • Per month: $13,126

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.

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.

Dentist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Apex, NC5 mi$87.51/hr75,977
Raleigh, NC11 mi$87.51/hr499,825
Durham, NC14 mi$97.31/hr301,870
Chapel Hill, NC16 mi$97.31/hr64,028
Burlington, NC41 mi$82.22/hr61,365
Fayetteville, NC49 mi$85.13/hr209,496

Dentist jobs in North Carolina · Dentist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in North Carolina

Active dental 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 Cary

Cary city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dentists make in Cary, NC?

Dentists in the Raleigh-Cary metro area have a median pay of $87.51 per hour, about $182,020 a year. The middle half earn between $77.82 and $107.58 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Cary a good place for dentists once cost of living is counted?

Raleigh-Cary ranks 122nd of 279 metro areas for dentist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 95th of 302 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dentists in Cary?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in the Raleigh-Cary area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Cary.

Do I need a North Carolina license to work in Cary as a dentist?

Active dental 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 Cary 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 dentists in Cary?

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

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dentist near Cary, NC
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dentist pay reportCary, NC · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Oyegunwa & Associates II PLLCDurham, NC · 1 wage offer$138.46/ hr$138–$138
  • Ideal People ServicesHigh Point, NC · 1 wage offer$127.14/ hr$103–$151
  • General Dentistry 4 Kids - Payroll, LLCWilmington, NC · 1 wage offer$125.97/ hr$126–$126
  • Aspen DentalCharlotte, NC · 3 postings$123.80/ hr$103–$192

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$98Median$132.81High$191

4 Dentist postings with published pay in North Carolina, 4 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 4 Dentist roles

  1. Dentist – DDS / DMDPermanent
    $215k–$300k/ year
    Aspen Dental · Charlotte, NC · posted yesterday
  2. Dentist – DDS / DMDPermanent
    $215k–$300k/ year
    Aspen Dental · Greensboro, NC · posted 5 days ago

+ 2 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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