Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in North Carolina
The median dentist earns $207,000 a year in North Carolina ($99.52 an hour), with the middle half earning between $151,810 and $232,880.[1]
25th percentile
$151,810
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$207,000
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$232,880
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $207,000 per year or $99.52/hr at the median. North Carolina runs about 21% 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 dentists 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 | $51.83 | $107,810 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $72.98 | $151,810 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $99.52 | $207,000 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $111.96 | $232,880 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $162.32 | $337,630 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $99.79 | $207,550 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in North Carolina
4,140
0.84
1.05
How North Carolina compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $207,000 in North Carolina vs. $170,950 nationally, $36,050 (21%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $107,810 vs. $86,250, 25% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $337,630 vs. $319,630, 6% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 6.5% in North Carolina vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $208,490 | $156,990–$269,550 | 200 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $207,380 | $167,110–$315,460 | 1,000 |
| Asheville | $202,630 | $107,810–$308,150 | 140 |
| Fayetteville | $196,470 | $151,520–$290,960 | 110 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $193,320 | $153,840–$260,960 | 130 |
| Goldsboro | $193,210 | $157,340–$313,120 | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $189,220 | $134,990–$215,600 | 1,140 |
| Jacksonville | $188,850 | $131,890–$281,710 | 50 |
| Wilmington | $185,720 | $129,990–$220,540 | 220 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $177,400 | $134,870–$211,940 | 720 |
| Greenville | $174,990 | $130,840–$282,740 | 50 |
| Winston-Salem | $168,700 | $130,680–$256,850 | 230 |
| Burlington | $166,330 | $128,980–$218,350 | 60 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $163,910 | $111,400–$209,650 | 190 |
| Rocky Mount | $161,810 | $139,580–$203,310 | 40 |
Job outlook for dentists in North Carolina
North Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 6.5% over 2024–2034, from 5,080 to 5,400 jobs, with about 170 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dentist (all dentists, including specialists) employment to grow 6% over 2025–35, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 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 dentist pay in North Carolina
Pay for a dentist 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 dentist roles in North Carolina, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in North Carolina: FAQ
How much do dentists make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for dentists in North Carolina was $207,000 ($99.52 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $151,810 and $232,880. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $107,810 and the top 10% earned over $337,630. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in North Carolina earn more than the national median?
Yes. The North Carolina median of $207,000 is higher than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $36,050 (21%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which North Carolina metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 15 North Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, Durham-Chapel Hill has the highest median at $208,490 a year. Rocky Mount has the lowest, at $161,810.
How many dentists work in North Carolina?
BLS estimates 4,140 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in North Carolina in May 2025. That is 0.84 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.05, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in North Carolina?
North Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 6.5% over 2024–2034, from 5,080 to 5,400 jobs. That works out to about 170 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
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
- 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
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, General (29-1021), 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: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)