Dental Assistant salary in North Carolina
Dental Assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $50,380 a year ($24.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,200 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $48,070. North Carolina ranks 12th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| 25th percentile | $47,680 | $22.93 |
| Median | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| 75th percentile | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Average (mean) | $51,510 | $24.76 |
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 | $4,198.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,099.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,937.69 |
| Weekly | $968.85 |
| Hourly | $24.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,380 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 cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $58,750 | 1,850 |
| Asheville, NC | $56,680 | 560 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $51,670 | 640 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| Orderly | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for dental assistants in North Carolina is $50,380 a year, or $24.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of dental assistants in North Carolina earn at least $60,200 a year. The top 25% earn $57,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,240 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $47,680 or less.
How many dental assistants work in North Carolina?
About 11,450 dental assistants are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.