Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in North Carolina
The median dental assistant earns $50,380 a year in North Carolina ($24.22 an hour), with the middle half earning between $47,680 and $57,720.[1]
25th percentile
$47,680
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$50,380
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$57,720
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $50,380 per year or $24.22/hr at the median. North Carolina runs about 5% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in North Carolina
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in North Carolina earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | North Carolina hourly | North Carolina annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.38 | $38,240 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $22.93 | $47,680 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $24.22 | $50,380 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $27.75 | $57,720 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $28.94 | $60,200 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $24.76 | $51,510 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in North Carolina
11,450
2.32
0.93
How North Carolina compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $50,380 in North Carolina vs. $48,070 nationally, $2,310 (5%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $38,240 vs. $37,130, 3% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $60,200 vs. $62,250, 3% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 8.6% in North Carolina vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in North Carolina
All 15 North Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary | $58,750 | $50,580–$60,680 | 1,850 |
| Asheville | $56,680 | $48,630–$59,850 | 560 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $51,670 | $49,390–$59,180 | 640 |
| Wilmington | $51,110 | $47,120–$57,690 | 600 |
| Burlington | $50,140 | $47,340–$56,310 | 150 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $50,060 | $48,110–$57,740 | 3,540 |
| Winston-Salem | $50,060 | $48,370–$55,250 | 480 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $49,800 | $46,030–$55,110 | 800 |
| Fayetteville | $49,520 | $46,320–$54,750 | 460 |
| Greenville | $49,420 | $40,090–$53,930 | 230 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $48,720 | $44,550–$54,240 | 320 |
| Rocky Mount | $48,490 | $37,020–$50,610 | 80 |
| Goldsboro | $48,210 | $44,910–$51,400 | 120 |
| Jacksonville | $47,970 | $46,170–$50,230 | 170 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $46,670 | $39,020–$54,980 | 1,860 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in North Carolina
North Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 8.6% over 2024–2034, from 11,340 to 12,320 jobs, with about 1,610 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in North Carolina
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
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Dental Assistant salary in North Carolina: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in North Carolina was $50,380 ($24.22 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $47,680 and $57,720. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $38,240 and the top 10% earned over $60,200.
Do dental assistants in North Carolina earn more than the national median?
Yes. The North Carolina median of $50,380 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $2,310 (5%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which North Carolina metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 15 North Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, Raleigh-Cary has the highest median at $58,750 a year. Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has the lowest, at $46,670.
How many dental assistants work in North Carolina?
BLS estimates 11,450 dental assistants were employed in North Carolina in May 2025. That is 2.32 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.93, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in North Carolina?
North Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 8.6% over 2024–2034, from 11,340 to 12,320 jobs. That works out to about 1,610 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
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Other roles in North Carolina
- Dental Hygienist salary in North Carolina
- Dentist salary in North Carolina
- Dental Specialist salary in North Carolina
- Dental Front Office salary in North Carolina
- Dental Office Manager salary in North Carolina
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in North Carolina
- Dental Lab Technician salary in North Carolina
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, North Carolina long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants