Dental Assistants Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $50,240 +6.2% vs national
Median hourly $24.16
10th percentile $36,640
90th percentile $63,040
Employed locally 1,620
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
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Raleigh, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,640
    25th
    $48,040
    50th (median)
    $50,240
    75th
    $60,100
    90th
    $63,040

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 52% Median Dental Assistants salary is 48% 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 Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $31,370
    Nursing Assistants $38,840
    Medical Assistants $42,900
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $37,090
    Massage Therapists $80,130
    Phlebotomists $43,700

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Raleigh?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Raleigh, NC is $24.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.96 or more per hour.

    Is Raleigh above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Raleigh, NC is 6.2% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $36,640 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,040.