Dental assistant salary in North Carolina
The median dental assistant in North Carolina earns $50,380 a year (about $24.22 an hour); the mean is $51,510. That is $2,310 (5%) above the US median of $48,070, and ranks 12 of 50 among states with published figures. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
| North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $50,380 | $48,070 |
| Mean annual wage | $51,510 | $50,200 |
| Median hourly equivalent | $24.22 | $23.11 |
| Employed | 11,450 | 387,790 |
Dental assistants work alongside dentists: chairside help, instruments, patient comfort, and in many states radiographs and other expanded duties.
How North Carolina compares with nearby ranks
States closest to North Carolina in the dental assistant median ranking:
| State | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $57,710 | $55,220 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $53,970 |
| Vermont | $52,760 | $54,550 |
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $52,790 |
| California | $50,110 | $54,710 |
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $52,940 |
See the full state ranking for dental assistants.
Other dental roles in North Carolina
- Dental hygienist salary in North CarolinaMedian $97,850
- General dentist salary in North CarolinaMedian $207,000
More for North Carolina
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Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in North Carolina is $50,380 (about $24.22 an hour) and the mean is $51,510, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
How does North Carolina compare with the national figure?
The North Carolina median is $2,310 (5%) above the national median of $48,070. It ranks 12 of 50 states and districts with published figures for dental assistants.
How many dental assistants work in North Carolina?
BLS estimates 11,450 employed dental assistants in North Carolina in May 2025.
Do these numbers include practice owners?
No. BLS counts people on an employer's payroll. Owners who take profit from their own practice are mostly outside the survey.