Dental Assistant salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Dental Assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $51,670 a year ($24.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,920 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $50,380. There are 1.9 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $53,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,530 | $19.01 |
| 25th percentile | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Median | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| 75th percentile | $59,180 | $28.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Average (mean) | $53,360 | $25.65 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,305.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,152.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,987.31 |
| Weekly | $993.65 |
| Hourly | $24.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $58,750 | 1,850 |
| Asheville, NC | $56,680 | 560 |
| Wilmington, NC | $51,110 | 600 |
| Burlington, NC | $50,140 | 150 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,060 | 3,540 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $50,060 | 480 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,800 | 800 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,520 | 460 |
| Greenville, NC | $49,420 | 230 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $48,720 | 320 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $48,490 | 80 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $48,210 | 120 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $47,970 | 170 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $46,670 | 1,860 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,230 | $21.27 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,230 | $31.84 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $51,670 a year, or $24.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $60,920 a year. The top 25% earn $59,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,530 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $49,390 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 640 dental assistants are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.