verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dental Assistant Salary in North Carolina

Median Annual in North Carolina
$50,380/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$24.22/hr
▲ 5% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in North Carolina

groups Employed in NC
11,450
public U.S. Median
$48,070
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$53,411 #14 of 50

Dental Assistant pay in North Carolina, explained

Dental assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $50,380 per year ($24.22 per hour), which is 5% above the national median of $48,070. Entry-level workers earn around $38,240, while the most experienced dental assistants reach about $60,200. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within North Carolina.

Is $50,380 good pay in North Carolina?

Adjusted for North Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $50,380 is worth about $53,411 in national buying power — ranking North Carolina #14 for real pay (vs #12 on the sticker number).

See the full Dental Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dental Assistant pay by experience in North Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$38,240
$18.38/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$50,380
$24.22/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$60,200
$28.94/hr

Dental Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NC
North Carolina (here) $50,380 $53,411
South Carolina $47,320 $50,475 +$3,060
Georgia $46,840 $48,643 +$3,540
Tennessee $46,720 $50,854 +$3,660
Virginia $46,670 $46,160 +$3,710

Dental Assistant in North Carolina: FAQ

How much do dental assistants make in North Carolina?

Dental assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $50,380 per year ($24.22 per hour), compared with $48,070 nationally.

Does North Carolina pay dental assistants well?

At $50,380, North Carolina pays 5% above the national median for dental assistants. An estimated 11,450 work in the state.

Dental Assistant salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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