Dental Hygienists Salary in North Carolina
The median pay for a dental hygienists in North Carolina is $89,720/year ($43.14/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $90K get you in North Carolina?
About dental hygienists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level dental hygienists (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $90K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $23K spread from bottom to top.
Dental Hygienists salary by metro in North Carolina
15 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $98K | +9% | 420 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $97K | +8% | 1,070 |
| Asheville | $96K | +7% | 350 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $94K | +4% | 1,780 |
| Wilmington | $91K | +2% | 480 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $91K | +1% | 90 |
| Burlington | $91K | +1% | 120 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $90K | +0% | 250 |
| Winston-Salem | $85K | -5% | 420 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $82K | -9% | 540 |
| Rocky Mount | $82K | -9% | 60 |
| Fayetteville | $80K | -10% | 310 |
| Greenville | $80K | -11% | 140 |
| Goldsboro | $79K | -12% | 80 |
| Jacksonville | $77K | -14% | 150 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 metros
Compare to other states
Track dental hygienists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do dental hygienists make in North Carolina?
The median is $89,720 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,860, and experienced dental hygienists can clear $99,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $90K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,622/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 22.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a dental hygienists salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dental hygienists salary is worth about $96,827 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dental hygienists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.