Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in North Carolina
The median dental hygienist earns $97,850 a year in North Carolina ($47.04 an hour), with the middle half earning between $84,150 and $100,930.[1]
25th percentile
$84,150
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$97,850
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$100,930
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $97,850 per year or $47.04/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 hygienists 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 | $37.15 | $77,270 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $40.46 | $84,150 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $47.04 | $97,850 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $48.53 | $100,930 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $49.93 | $103,850 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $45.02 | $93,640 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in North Carolina
6,690
1.35
0.95
How North Carolina compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $97,850 in North Carolina vs. $98,100 nationally, about the same.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $77,270 vs. $74,880, 3% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $103,850 vs. $126,050, 18% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 9.3% in North Carolina vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in North Carolina
All 16 North Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $101,460 | $83,180–$102,530 | 350 |
| Asheville | $101,170 | $98,080–$104,490 | 300 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $98,890 | $93,860–$100,140 | 940 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $98,800 | $97,680–$103,040 | 1,220 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $98,390 | $96,680–$101,470 | 1,910 |
| Burlington | $97,210 | $95,020–$102,080 | 100 |
| Wilmington | $96,700 | $82,920–$100,910 | 440 |
| Winston-Salem | $95,930 | $93,320–$98,590 | 500 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $95,900 | $82,920–$97,620 | 70 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $94,050 | $82,890–$97,880 | 170 |
| Greenville | $93,790 | $77,220–$95,810 | 110 |
| Fayetteville | $93,330 | $80,220–$95,800 | 220 |
| Rocky Mount | $88,390 | $73,320–$96,460 | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $84,250 | $75,520–$96,560 | 390 |
| Goldsboro | $83,350 | $78,500–$92,720 | 70 |
| Jacksonville | $82,380 | $77,750–$90,670 | 120 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in North Carolina
North Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 9.3% over 2024–2034, from 7,160 to 7,830 jobs, with about 510 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 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 dental hygienist pay in North Carolina
Pay for a dental hygienist 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
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental hygienist roles in North Carolina, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in North Carolina: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in North Carolina was $97,850 ($47.04 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $84,150 and $100,930. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $77,270 and the top 10% earned over $103,850.
Do dental hygienists in North Carolina earn more than the national median?
About the same. The North Carolina median of $97,850 is about the same as the U.S. median of $98,100. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which North Carolina metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 16 North Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, Durham-Chapel Hill has the highest median at $101,460 a year. Jacksonville has the lowest, at $82,380.
How many dental hygienists work in North Carolina?
BLS estimates 6,690 dental hygienists were employed in North Carolina in May 2025. That is 1.35 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.95, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in North Carolina?
North Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 9.3% over 2024–2034, from 7,160 to 7,830 jobs. That works out to about 510 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Hiring in North Carolina?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles 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 in North Carolina
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), 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 Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists