Dental Assistants Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $49,010 +3.6% vs national
Median hourly $23.56
10th percentile $37,950
90th percentile $73,310
Employed locally 680
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,950
    25th
    $43,710
    50th (median)
    $49,010
    75th
    $58,300
    90th
    $73,310

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 60% Median Dental Assistants salary is 40% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $65,360
    Minnesota $64,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $58,380
    Anchorage, AK $56,180
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $56,110
    Greensboro-High Point, NC $51,500
    Wilmington, NC $50,440

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Nursing Assistants $38,710
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $31,400
    Medical Assistants $45,110
    Phlebotomists $45,460
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $38,140
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $44,740

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Durham, NC is $23.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.29 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Durham, NC is 3.6% above the national median of $47,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Assistants in Durham?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $37,950 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,710.