Dental Assistant salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Dental Assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $48,720 a year ($23.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,610 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $50,380. There are 2.1 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,370, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| 25th percentile | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Median | $48,720 | $23.43 |
| 75th percentile | $54,240 | $26.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| Average (mean) | $48,370 | $23.25 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,060 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,030 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,873.85 |
| Weekly | $936.92 |
| Hourly | $23.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $58,750 | 1,850 |
| Asheville, NC | $56,680 | 560 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $51,670 | 640 |
| Wilmington, NC | $51,110 | 600 |
| Burlington, NC | $50,140 | 150 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,060 | 3,540 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $50,060 | 480 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,800 | 800 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,520 | 460 |
| Greenville, NC | $49,420 | 230 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $48,490 | 80 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $48,210 | 120 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $47,970 | 170 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $46,670 | 1,860 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $31,390 | $15.09 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $48,720 a year, or $23.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $57,610 a year. The top 25% earn $54,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,830 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $44,550 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 320 dental assistants are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.