PayByState

North Carolina · BLS SOC 29-1292

Dental Hygienist salary in North Carolina

Median $87,660 · Top 10% earn $103,490+ · Roughly 7,245 workers in North Carolina. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

North Carolina median
$87,660
$42.14/hr
Top 10%
$103,490
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$58,580
Entry-level range
Real pay
$94,563
CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.7)

North Carolina pays modestly below the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $87,660 versus the national median of $94,260. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 7,245 dental hygienists.

What drives dental hygienist pay in North Carolina

North Carolina pays close to the U.S. median for dental hygienists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

North Carolina ranks #34 of 50 states

Where North Carolina sits in the national distribution for dental hygienist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. North Carolina
#33 Ohio $88,600 +$940
#32 New Mexico $88,600 +$940
#31 Florida $88,600 +$940
#34 North Carolina (this page) $87,660 —
#36 Georgia $86,720 −$940
#37 South Carolina $85,780 −$1,880
#38 Indiana $85,780 −$1,880
See all 50 states →

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Education path for North Carolina

The typical path is a associate degree + state license (some bs), taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $12,000 (community college) to $65,000 (private accelerated). On the North Carolina median of $87,660, payback periods are typically 1.2 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Hygienist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with North Carolina selected.

Dental Hygienist salary in North Carolina — FAQ

What is the average dental hygienist salary in North Carolina?
The median dental hygienist salary in North Carolina is $87,660 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $58,580; the top 10% earn $103,490 or more. About 7,245 people work in this role across the state.
How does North Carolina dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina's median of $87,660 is $6,600 below the U.S. national median of $94,260. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $94,563.
Is dental hygienist a good career in North Carolina?
On the data: North Carolina employs roughly 7,245 dental hygienists, with a median wage of $87,660 and the top decile clearing $103,490. The role is projected to grow +9% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental hygienists in North Carolina?
At the North Carolina median of $87,660 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $42.14/hr. The top 10% earn around $49.75/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $28.16/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

North Carolina-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1292: Dental Hygienists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where North Carolina's RPP is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.