Dental Hygienist salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Dental Hygienists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $94,050 a year ($45.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,130 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 4% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $97,850. There are 1.1 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $90,420, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| 25th percentile | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Median | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| 75th percentile | $97,880 | $47.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,130 | $47.18 |
| Average (mean) | $90,420 | $43.47 |
Half of dental hygienists 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 | $7,837.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,918.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,617.31 |
| Weekly | $1,808.65 |
| Hourly | $45.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,050 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 Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $101,460 | 350 |
| Asheville, NC | $101,170 | 300 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $98,890 | 940 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $98,800 | 1,220 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,390 | 1,910 |
| Burlington, NC | $97,210 | 100 |
| Wilmington, NC | $96,700 | 440 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $95,930 | 500 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $95,900 | 70 |
| Greenville, NC | $93,790 | 110 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $93,330 | 220 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $88,390 | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $84,250 | 390 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $83,350 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $82,380 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $313,460 | $150.70 |
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | $65.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Dentists, General | $193,320 | $92.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Veterinarian | $124,970 | $60.08 |
| Optometrist | $136,920 | $65.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 29-1292. 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 hygienist make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $94,050 a year, or $45.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $98,130 a year. The top 25% earn $97,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,660 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $82,890 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 170 dental hygienists are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.