Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Lab Technician Salary in North Carolina
The median dental lab technician earns $49,700 a year in North Carolina ($23.90 an hour), with the middle half earning between $38,990 and $61,500.[1]
25th percentile
$38,990
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$49,700
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$61,500
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $49,700 per year or $23.90/hr at the median. That's about the same as 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 lab technicians 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 | $17.59 | $36,580 | $17.62 | $36,660 |
| 25th percentile | $18.75 | $38,990 | $19.43 | $40,420 |
| Median | $23.90 | $49,700 | $23.85 | $49,610 |
| 75th percentile | $29.57 | $61,500 | $29.84 | $62,070 |
| 90th percentile | $36.38 | $75,660 | $36.99 | $76,940 |
| Mean (average) | $25.29 | $52,600 | $26.10 | $54,290 |
How many dental lab technicians work in North Carolina
990
0.20
0.91
How North Carolina compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $49,700 in North Carolina vs. $49,610 nationally, about the same.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $36,580 vs. $36,660, about the same.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $75,660 vs. $76,940, 2% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): -8.8% in North Carolina vs. -4.5% nationally.
Dental Lab Technician pay by metro area in North Carolina
All 8 North Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $58,720 | $47,360–$76,760 | 280 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $51,110 | $38,340–$61,500 | 100 |
| Asheville | $50,440 | $37,150–$62,610 | 70 |
| Winston-Salem | $50,230 | $38,420–$62,220 | 40 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $48,810 | $37,450–$59,840 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $48,550 | $48,550–$60,130 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $47,080 | $39,880–$62,670 | 320 |
| Wilmington | $38,990 | $38,990–$55,540 | 50 |
Job outlook for dental lab technicians in North Carolina
North Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dental lab technicians to change 8.8% over 2024–2034, from 880 to 800 jobs, with about 90 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is -4.5%.
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 lab technician pay in North Carolina
Pay for a dental lab technician 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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Browse open dental lab technician roles in North Carolina, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Lab Technician salary in North Carolina: FAQ
How much do dental lab technicians make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for dental lab technicians in North Carolina was $49,700 ($23.90 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $38,990 and $61,500. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $36,580 and the top 10% earned over $75,660.
Do dental lab technicians in North Carolina earn more than the national median?
About the same. The North Carolina median of $49,700 is about the same as the U.S. median of $49,610. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which North Carolina metro area pays dental lab technicians the most?
Among the 8 North Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has the highest median at $58,720 a year. Wilmington has the lowest, at $38,990.
How many dental lab technicians work in North Carolina?
BLS estimates 990 dental lab technicians were employed in North Carolina in May 2025. That is 0.20 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.91, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental lab technicians growing in North Carolina?
North Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dental lab technicians to change 8.8% over 2024–2034, from 880 to 800 jobs. That works out to about 90 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is -4.5%.
Hiring in North Carolina?
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Keep exploring
Other roles in North Carolina
- Dental Hygienist salary in North Carolina
- Dental Assistant 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 by state
- Dental Lab Technician salary in California
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Texas
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Florida
- Dental Lab Technician salary in New York
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Illinois
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Ohio
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Georgia
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Laboratory Technicians (51-9081), 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 Laboratory Technicians