Dental Assistant salary in North Carolina
Dental Assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $23.42 per hour, about $48,710 a year, 3% above the U.S. median of $22.74. The middle half earn between $21.68 and $27.33 per hour. The highest median among North Carolina metro areas is in Greensboro-High Point, NC, at $24.76 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $23.42median pay per hour
- $48,710median pay per year
- 11,100dental assistants employed in North Carolina
- #14of 50 states by median pay
Dental Assistant pay in North Carolina: percentiles
| Level | North Carolina per hour | North Carolina per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.95 | $37,340 | $17.40 |
| Lower quartile | $21.68 | $45,090 | $19.00 |
| Median | $23.42 | $48,710 | $22.74 |
| Upper quartile | $27.33 | $56,850 | $27.36 |
| Top 10% | $28.51 | $59,300 | $29.70 |
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs North Carolina median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $24.76 | $51,500 | 770 | 6% above | $26.66 |
| Wilmington, NC | $24.25 | $50,440 | 550 | 4% above | $25.15 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $24.16 | $50,240 | 1,620 | 3% above | $24.61 |
| Asheville, NC | $23.98 | $49,870 | 530 | 2% above | $24.85 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $23.62 | $49,140 | 3,440 | 1% above | $24.26 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $23.56 | $49,010 | 680 | 1% above | $24.15 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $22.81 | $47,440 | 460 | 3% below | $24.78 |
| Greenville, NC | $22.49 | $46,790 | 230 | 4% below | $25.44 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $22.48 | $46,760 | 320 | 4% below | $25.41 |
| Burlington, NC | $22.30 | $46,390 | 150 | 5% below | $23.93 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $22.11 | $45,980 | 170 | 6% below | $24.01 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $22.01 | $45,770 | 580 | 6% below | $23.93 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $21.94 | $45,640 | 120 | 6% below | — |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $21.88 | $45,520 | 120 | 7% below | — |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $19.36 | $40,260 | 90 | 17% below | $22.00 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Dental Assistant pay in states next to North Carolina
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $21.92 | $45,600 | 6% below North Carolina |
| South Carolina | $22.08 | $45,930 | 6% below North Carolina |
| Tennessee | $22.16 | $46,090 | 5% below North Carolina |
| Virginia | $22.55 | $46,910 | 4% below North Carolina |
What employers are posting in North Carolina
- 30roles with published pay
- $20.75median pay per hour
- $18–$25typical published range
- 4employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental | 25 | $20 |
| Military Treatment Facilities under DHA | 2 | $23.52 |
| PDS Health | 2 | $20.75 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $25.11 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 30 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Dental Assistant jobs in North Carolina · Dental Assistant salary nationwide · North Carolina state guide
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in North Carolina?
The median is $23.42 per hour, about $48,710 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $17.95 and the top 10% earn over $28.51 (BLS, May 2024).
Which North Carolina city pays dental assistants the most?
Among North Carolina metro areas, Greensboro-High Point, NC has the highest median at $24.76 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does North Carolina rank for dental assistant pay?
North Carolina ranks 14th of 50 states by median dental assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
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Your Dental Assistant pay reportNorth Carolina · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Military Treatment Facilities under DHASeymour Johnson AFB, NC · 2 postings$23.52/ hr$20–$27
- PDS HealthCharlotte, NC · 2 postings$20.75/ hr$17–$24
- Aspen DentalFuquay Varina, NC · 25 postings$20.00/ hr$15–$30
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
30 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in North Carolina, 16 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 30 Dental Assistant roles
- Dental AssistantPermanent$45k–$59k/ year
- Dental AssistantPermanent$43k–$55k/ year
+ 28 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.