Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dentist Salary in North Carolina

The median dentist earns $207,000 a year in North Carolina, with most between $151,810 and $232,880.

25th percentile

$151,810

Entry / lower range

Median

$207,000

The typical pay

75th percentile

$232,880

Experienced / upper range

That's roughly $207,000 per year or $99.52/hr at the median. North Carolina runs about 21% above the national median.

Note: BLS figures reflect employed dentists. Many dentists own their practices, and owner earnings aren't included — which can make high-ownership areas read lower than you'd expect.

Top-paying metros in North Carolina

Metro area
Median
Typical range
Durham-Chapel Hill
$208,490
$156,990–$269,550
Raleigh-Cary
$207,380
$167,110–$315,460
Asheville
$202,630
$107,810–$308,150
Fayetteville
$196,470
$151,520–$290,960
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton
$193,320
$153,840–$260,960
Goldsboro
$193,210
$157,340–$313,120

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Figures are gross wages, not adjusted for cost of living.

What drives dentist pay in North Carolina

Pay for a dentistdepends on experience, setting, and metro. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) often sit toward the upper end of the range, since they compete for talent across multiple locations and can offer benefits and advancement a single practice can't.

Across dentistry, hiring is hard and getting harder: staffing is consistently ranked among dentists' top challenges, and open roles routinely take well over two months to fill. For candidates, that means leverage; for employers, it means speed and fit matter more than ever.

For dental pros

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Dentist salary in North Carolina: FAQ

What is the average dentist salary in North Carolina?

The median dentist salary in North Carolina is about $207,000 per year ($99.52/hr), based on BLS OEWS data (May 2025). Most earn between $151,810 and $232,880.

How does North Carolina compare to the national average?

At a $207,000 median, dentist pay in North Carolina runs about 21% above the national median. Local cost of living and demand drive most of the difference.

Which North Carolina cities pay dentists the most?

Among North Carolina metros, Durham-Chapel Hill is at the top, with a median around $208,490.

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Other roles in North Carolina

Dentist salary by state