Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dentist Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

The median dentist earns $193,320 a year in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro, with the middle half between $153,840 and $260,960.[1]

25th percentile

$153,840

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$193,320

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$260,960

Upper end of the middle half

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton runs about 7% lower than the North Carolina median and ranks 5th of 15 North Carolina metros. It is about 13% higher than the national median.

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

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton pay range vs. North Carolina and the U.S.

Dentist annual wages: Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton vs. North Carolina vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualNorth Carolina annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$119,840$107,810$86,250
25th percentile$153,840$151,810$125,710
Median$193,320$207,000$170,950
75th percentile$260,960$232,880$224,040
90th percentile$312,820$337,630$319,630
Mean (average)$200,480$207,550$191,350

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

130

About 3% of North Carolina's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

0.86

North Carolina: 0.84

Location quotient

1.07

1.00 = U.S. average; close to the national average

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Dentist salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton: FAQ

How much do dentists make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?

The median dentist salary in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro area is $193,320, with the middle half earning between $153,840 and $260,960 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $119,840 at the 10th percentile to $312,820 at the 90th.

Is Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton higher or lower than the rest of North Carolina?

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton runs about 7% lower than the North Carolina state median for dentists. It ranks 5th of 15 North Carolina metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton compare nationally?

Dentist pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton is about 13% higher than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dentists work in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area?

BLS estimates 130 dentists were employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.07, so the role is close to the national average.