Dentist salary in North Carolina
Dentists in North Carolina earn a median of $91.96 per hour, about $191,280 a year, 11% above the U.S. median of $83.07. The middle half earn between $72.09 and $109.36 per hour. The highest median among North Carolina metro areas is in Wilmington, NC, at $97.52 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $91.96median pay per hour
- $191,280median pay per year
- 4,410dentists employed in North Carolina
- #12of 45 states by median pay
Dentist pay in North Carolina: percentiles
| Level | North Carolina per hour | North Carolina per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $49.86 | $103,710 | $40.32 |
| Lower quartile | $72.09 | $149,950 | $60.62 |
| Median | $91.96 | $191,280 | $83.07 |
| Upper quartile | $109.36 | $227,470 | $105.95 |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | $115+ |
Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum.
Dentist pay by metro area in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs North Carolina median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $97.52 | $202,850 | 260 | 6% above | $101.14 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $97.31 | $202,400 | 320 | 6% above | $99.73 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $92.59 | $192,580 | 820 | 1% above | $95.11 |
| Asheville, NC | $90.17 | $187,560 | 210 | 2% below | $93.43 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $89.85 | $186,890 | 40 | 2% below | — |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $87.51 | $182,020 | 1,090 | 5% below | $89.15 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $85.13 | $177,070 | 150 | 7% below | $92.55 |
| Greenville, NC | $84.95 | $176,690 | 50 | 8% below | $96.10 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $82.75 | $172,120 | 360 | 10% below | $89.11 |
| Burlington, NC | $82.22 | $171,010 | 70 | 11% below | $88.22 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $81.50 | $169,520 | 120 | 11% below | $92.10 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $81.07 | $168,620 | 40 | 12% below | $92.11 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $79.76 | $165,890 | 70 | 13% below | $86.62 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $64.89 | $134,960 | 270 | 29% below | $70.50 |
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).
Dentist pay in states next to North Carolina
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $94.14 | $195,820 | 2% above North Carolina |
| South Carolina | $76.19 | $158,460 | 17% below North Carolina |
| Tennessee | $74.26 | $154,460 | 19% below North Carolina |
| Virginia | $87.77 | $182,570 | 5% below North Carolina |
What employers are posting in North Carolina
- 4roles with published pay
- $132.81median pay per hour
- $102–$189typical published range
- 2employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental | 3 | $123.80 |
| PDS Health | 1 | $141.83 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 4 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Dentist jobs in North Carolina · Dentist salary nationwide · North Carolina state guide
Common questions
How much does a dentist make in North Carolina?
The median is $91.96 per hour, about $191,280 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $49.86 and the top 10% earn over $115+ (BLS, May 2024).
Which North Carolina city pays dentists the most?
Among North Carolina metro areas, Wilmington, NC has the highest median at $97.52 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does North Carolina rank for dentist pay?
North Carolina ranks 12th of 45 states by median dentist 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.
What do employers near you pay dentists? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
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The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
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110+ Dentist roles in North Carolina, sent free by email
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Your Dentist pay reportNorth Carolina · 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
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
- Dentist – DDS / DMDPermanent$215k–$300k/ year
- Dentist – DDS / DMDPermanent$215k–$300k/ year
+ 2 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.