Dental Hygienists Salary in Raleigh, NC

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

Median annual salary $96,850 +2.7% vs national
Median hourly $46.56
10th percentile $78,290
90th percentile $100,300
Employed locally 1,070
National median $94,260

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Dental Hygienists
in
Raleigh, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,290
    25th
    $80,130
    50th (median)
    $96,850
    75th
    $99,840
    90th
    $100,300

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Hygienists salary vs area income 101% Median Dental Hygienists salary is 1% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Hygienists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $146,760
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,010
    Vallejo, CA $134,450
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $132,010
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $131,890
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $131,610

    Nearby metros — Dental Hygienists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $146,760
    Anchorage, AK $129,780
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $118,950
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $102,070
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $98,120
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $97,050

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $84,870
    Pharmacy Technicians $41,060
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $59,080
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,890
    Pharmacists $139,170
    Physician Assistants $125,710

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Hygienists make per hour in Raleigh?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Hygienists in Raleigh, NC is $46.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.83 or more per hour.

    Is Raleigh above or below average for Dental Hygienists salaries?

    The median Dental Hygienists salary in Raleigh, NC is 2.7% above the national median of $94,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Hygienists in Raleigh?

    Entry-level Dental Hygienists (10th percentile) earn around $78,290 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,130.