Dental Assistant salary in Wilmington, NC
Dental Assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $51,110 a year ($24.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,530 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $50,380. There are 3.2 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,110, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| 25th percentile | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Median | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| 75th percentile | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,530 | $28.62 |
| Average (mean) | $51,110 | $24.57 |
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 | $4,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,129.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,965.77 |
| Weekly | $982.88 |
| Hourly | $24.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,110 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 |
| 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 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $48,720 | 320 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,510 | $15.15 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $51,110 a year, or $24.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $59,530 a year. The top 25% earn $57,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,980 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $47,120 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Wilmington, NC?
About 600 dental assistants are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.