North Carolina Median
$97,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.04
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+-0% vs US median
US median $98,100
State Rank
#20 of 50
6,690 employed here
How much does a Dental Hygienist make in North Carolina?
Dental Hygienists in North Carolina take home a median of $97,850 annually — roughly $47.04 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $98,100.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $77,270 while the top 10% make $103,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $84,150 and $100,930 a year.
Dental Hygienist salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,270 | $37.15 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $84,150 | $40.46 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $97,850 | $47.04 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $100,930 | $48.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,850 | $49.93 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 20th out of 50 states and territories for Dental Hygienist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dental Hygienist salary in other states
District of Columbia $137,220Alaska $132,690Washington $131,160California $124,930Oregon $122,080Nevada $115,290Colorado $109,580Maryland $107,830New Jersey $107,040New York $106,130Minnesota $103,970Virginia $102,950New Hampshire $101,250Arizona $101,010Connecticut $100,690Massachusetts $100,640Texas $99,240Delaware $98,910Montana $98,440Maine $97,680Oklahoma $97,580Hawaii $97,570Vermont $97,470Illinois $96,670Wisconsin $96,540New Mexico $95,940Georgia $95,490Idaho $94,650Missouri $92,750Nebraska $92,580Indiana $92,330South Dakota $92,210Florida $91,980Utah $91,120North Dakota $90,530Ohio $88,990Rhode Island $86,910Arkansas $86,760Louisiana $85,240Wyoming $85,130Tennessee $84,640South Carolina $84,340Iowa $84,010Michigan $83,790Pennsylvania $80,610Kentucky $78,830West Virginia $73,840Mississippi $67,280Alabama $61,160
Working as a Dental Hygienist in North Carolina
Nationally, about 223,000 people work as Dental Hygienists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($97,850) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dental Hygienist make in North Carolina?
The median Dental Hygienist salary in North Carolina is $97,850 per year, or about $47.04 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,270 at the entry level to $103,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Dental Hygienists about 0% more than the national median of $98,100. North Carolina ranks 20th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Dental Hygienists?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $97,850 a year. About 6,690 Dental Hygienists are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Dental Hygienist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.