Dental Hygienist salary in North Carolina
Dental Hygienists in North Carolina earn a median of $97,850 a year ($47.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,850 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $98,100. North Carolina ranks 20th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.4 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $93,640, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,270 | $37.15 |
| 25th percentile | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Median | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| 75th percentile | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,850 | $49.93 |
| Average (mean) | $93,640 | $45.02 |
Half of dental hygienists 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 | $8,154.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,077.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,763.46 |
| Weekly | $1,881.73 |
| Hourly | $47.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,850 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 Hygienist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $101,460 | 350 |
| Asheville, NC | $101,170 | 300 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $98,890 | 940 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $98,800 | 1,220 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,390 | 1,910 |
| Burlington, NC | $97,210 | 100 |
| Wilmington, NC | $96,700 | 440 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $95,930 | 500 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $95,900 | 70 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $94,050 | 170 |
| Greenville, NC | $93,790 | 110 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $93,330 | 220 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $88,390 | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $84,250 | 390 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $83,350 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $82,380 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $289,780 | $139.32 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. 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 hygienist make in North Carolina?
The median salary for dental hygienists in North Carolina is $97,850 a year, or $47.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in North Carolina earn at least $103,850 a year. The top 25% earn $100,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,270 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $84,150 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in North Carolina?
About 6,690 dental hygienists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.