Dental Hygienist Salary in North Carolina: $101,231 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $101,231/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $108,153 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chapel Hill ($102,308), Durham ($101,460), Asheville ($101,170).
In 2026, dental hygienists in North Carolina are projected to earn an average median salary of $101,230, which is slightly lower than the national median of $102,946, resulting in a difference of about 1.7%. The highest-paying city in the state is Chapel Hill, where salaries may reach $107,362, while the lowest is Jacksonville at $86,450, creating a salary gap of $20,912. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for dental services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. North Carolina requires dental hygienists to have a state license and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, which may affect job opportunities and salaries across the state. The demand for dental hygienists continues to grow, driven by an increasing emphasis on preventative oral care, projected at an annual growth rate of 4.94% from 2025. With a total employment figure of 6,374 dental hygienists expected in 2026, cities such as Durham, Asheville, Concord, and Winston-Salem also present competitive salary opportunities, ranging from $104,299 to $106,472. Overall, the job market for dental hygienists in North Carolina offers solid potential for employment and salary advancement.
North Carolina Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $45,250 (lowest entry-level) to $142,615 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina dental hygienists earn 1.67% less than the national median ($-1,715/year difference).
North Carolina Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in North Carolina range from $83,144 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $109,093 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,231. The North Carolina median is $1,715 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $48.67/hr. Approximately 6,374 dental hygienists are employed across 45 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$71,713
2025 BLS Actual
$96,465
2026 Current Est.
$101,231
2020–2027 Growth
+48.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in North Carolina (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $71,713 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,427 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,303 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,424 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,925 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,465 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,231 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,231 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 34.5% from $71,713 (2020) to $96,465 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,231 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,518 (48.13%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $86,450 |
| High Point | $87,051 |
| Goldsboro | $87,467 |
| Greensboro | $88,412 |
| Rocky Mount | $92,756 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill | $107,362 | 93.6 | $114,703 |
| Pinehurst | $100,637 | 88.336 | $113,925 |
| Concord | $104,940 | 93.6 | $112,115 |
| Hickory | $98,696 | 88.486 | $111,539 |
| Winston-Salem | $104,299 | 93.6 | $111,431 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $83,144 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,231 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $109,093 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapel Hill | $107,362 |
| 2 | Durham | $106,472 |
| 3 | Asheville | $106,168 |
| 4 | Concord | $104,940 |
| 5 | Winston-Salem | $104,299 |
| 6 | Raleigh | $103,681 |
| 7 | Charlotte | $103,250 |
| 8 | Cary | $103,188 |
| 9 | Burlington | $102,012 |
| 10 | Huntersville | $101,715 |
| 11 | Kannapolis | $101,556 |
| 12 | Wilmington | $101,477 |
| 13 | Apex | $101,316 |
| 14 | Gastonia | $101,049 |
| 15 | Winston | $100,669 |
| 16 | Pinehurst | $100,637 |
| 17 | Statesville | $99,801 |
| 18 | Kernersville | $99,715 |
| 19 | Matthews | $99,481 |
| 20 | Cornelius | $99,309 |
| 21 | Sanford | $99,223 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $99,221 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $99,177 |
| 24 | Fuquay-Varina | $98,911 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $98,895 |
| 26 | Thomasville | $98,731 |
| 27 | Hickory | $98,696 |
| 28 | New Bern | $98,692 |
| 29 | Mint Hill | $98,669 |
| 30 | Greenville | $98,423 |
| 31 | Fayetteville | $97,941 |
| 32 | Holly Springs | $97,107 |
| 33 | Mooresville | $96,802 |
| 34 | Monroe | $96,763 |
| 35 | Garner | $96,545 |
| 36 | Wilson | $96,474 |
| 37 | Boone | $96,056 |
| 38 | Indian Trail | $95,225 |
| 39 | Carrboro | $94,853 |
| 40 | Leland | $93,452 |
| 41 | Rocky Mount | $92,756 |
| 42 | Greensboro | $88,412 |
| 43 | Goldsboro | $87,467 |
| 44 | High Point | $87,051 |
| 45 | Jacksonville | $86,450 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in North Carolina?
How many dental hygienists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov