Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill
The median dental assistant earns $51,670 a year in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro, with the middle half between $49,390 and $59,180.[1]
25th percentile
$49,390
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$51,670
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$59,180
Upper end of the middle half
Durham-Chapel Hill runs about 3% higher than the North Carolina median and ranks 3rd of 15 North Carolina metros. It is about 7% higher than the national median.
Durham-Chapel Hill pay range vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | North Carolina annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,530 | $38,240 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $49,390 | $47,680 | $44,340 |
| Median | $51,670 | $50,380 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $59,180 | $57,720 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $60,920 | $60,200 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $53,360 | $51,510 | $50,200 |
640
1.87
0.75
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Dental Assistant salary in Durham-Chapel Hill: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Durham-Chapel Hill?
The median dental assistant salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area is $51,670, with the middle half earning between $49,390 and $59,180 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $39,530 at the 10th percentile to $60,920 at the 90th.
Is Durham-Chapel Hill higher or lower than the rest of North Carolina?
Durham-Chapel Hill runs about 3% higher than the North Carolina state median for dental assistants. It ranks 3rd of 15 North Carolina metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Durham-Chapel Hill compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in Durham-Chapel Hill is about 7% higher than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dental assistants work in the Durham-Chapel Hill area?
BLS estimates 640 dental assistants were employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 0.75, so the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Other North Carolina metros