BLS wage data · May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in North Carolina
Dental hygienists in North Carolina earn a median of $97,850 a year, or $47.04 an hour (BLS, May 2025). That's about the same as the national median of $98,100, and ranks 20th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
North Carolina dental hygienist pay range
Half of dental hygienists in North Carolina earn between $84,150 and $100,930 a year. The bottom 10% earn less than $77,270, and the top 10% earn more than $103,850. BLS doesn't track starting pay, so the lower percentiles are the best guide to entry-level salary.
- 10th percentile
- $77,270
- Bottom 10% earn less
- 25th percentile
- $84,150
- Bottom 25% earn less
- Median
- $97,850
- Half earn more, half less
- 75th percentile
- $100,930
- Top 25% earn more
- 90th percentile
- $103,850
- Top 10% earn more
- Median annual
- $97,850
- $47.04 an hour
- Average (mean)
- $93,640
- $45.02 an hour
- vs US median
- 0%
- US: $98,100
- Pay rank
- 20th
- of 50 with May 2025 data
How North Carolina compares with nearby states
One of four nearby states pays more than North Carolina. Virginia pays the most ($102,950).
| State | Median / year | vs US | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $102,950 | +5% | 12th |
| North Carolina | $97,850 | 0% | 20th |
| Georgia | $95,490 | −3% | 28th |
| Tennessee | $84,640 | −14% | 42nd |
| South Carolina | $84,340 | −14% | 43rd |
Median pay, BLS OEWS. Rank 1 = highest median pay among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. See all states.
Dental hygienist jobs in North Carolina
- Employed
- 6,690
- 12th most of 50 with May 2025 data
- Per 1,000 jobs
- 1.4
- Of all jobs in North Carolina
- Location quotient
- 0.95
- 1.00 = US average
About 1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in North Carolina are dental hygienist jobs.
For the size of its workforce, North Carolina has about 5% fewer dental hygienist jobs than the US average (location quotient 0.95; 1.00 = the national average).
Many dental hygienists work part time, and some work for more than one dentist (BLS). Temping is another way to pick up shifts: see how temp and PRN work pays.
Schools, license, and CE in North Carolina
- Schools
Dental hygiene schools in North Carolina
North Carolina has 13 dental hygiene programs at 13 schools.
Compare programs - License
How to become a dental hygienist in North Carolina
Exams, application steps, and board links for licensure in North Carolina.
See license steps - CE
North Carolina CE requirements
6 hours every year. See required topics and renewal rules.
See CE rules
North Carolina dental hygienist salary FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in North Carolina?
Dental hygienists in North Carolina earn a median of $97,850 a year ($47.04 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025. The average (mean) is $93,640. That's about the same as the national median of $98,100.
How much do dental hygienists make an hour in North Carolina?
The median hourly wage in North Carolina is $47.04 and the mean is $45.02 (BLS, May 2025). Nationally, the May 2025 median is $47.16 an hour.
What is the starting salary for dental hygienists in North Carolina?
BLS doesn't publish starting salaries. The closest guide is the low end of the range: in North Carolina, 10% of dental hygienists earn less than $77,270 a year and 25% earn less than $84,150.
How does North Carolina rank for dental hygienist pay?
By median pay, North Carolina ranks 20th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data (0% vs the US median). One of four nearby states pays more than North Carolina. Virginia pays the most ($102,950). See every state
How many dental hygienists work in North Carolina?
About 6,690 dental hygienists work in North Carolina (BLS, May 2025). That's the 12th most of the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. About 1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in North Carolina are dental hygienist jobs.
How do I become a dental hygienist in North Carolina?
To become a dental hygienist in North Carolina, you graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, pass the NBDHE, the ADEX clinical exam, and the board's jurisprudence and infection control exams, and apply to the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners. See the full steps, exams accepted, and board links. North Carolina license steps
Sources and method
- BLS OEWS: North Carolina, May 2025. All occupations for the state; Dental Hygienists is SOC 29-1292
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). National and state estimates, May 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Hygienists. Licensing and work schedule facts
- Data retrieved September 28, 2026. BLS publishes new wage estimates once a year.
- Annual pay is hourly pay times 2,080 hours. Employment excludes self-employed workers and is rounded by BLS.
- Rank and “vs US” are computed from BLS medians; percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent. Ranks cover the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Jobs in BrushNotes
Find dental hygienist jobs in North Carolina
Search dental hygienist jobs by ZIP code, including temp and PRN listings where available, and track your North Carolina CE for license renewal in the same account.