Dental Hygienist Salary in Raleigh, NC: $103,681 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Raleigh, NC earns a median $103,681/year (≈ $49.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $105,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Raleigh, North Carolina, offers a competitive dental hygienist salary in Raleigh that reflects the local demand for dental professionals. With a median annual salary projected at $103,681 in 2026, this figure is slightly above the national median of $102,946, highlighting Raleigh's strong job market. The salary range for dental hygienists in this area varies considerably, from $78,642 at the 10th percentile to $110,953 at the 90th percentile. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicates a healthy growth outlook for the profession, which is expected to expand at an annual rate of 4.94%. Such enticing salary prospects not only reflect local economic conditions but also underscore Raleigh's attractiveness as a place for dental hygiene careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,642 | $37.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,505 | $49.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,681 | $49.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,130 | $51.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,953 | $53.34 |
Median Salary Position
0.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,311 (2026 est.). At $103,681, the local median is 0.71% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Raleigh Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $103,681/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $100,661 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +0.71% more |
Dental Hygienists in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $103,681 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.71% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.00% above the North Carolina state average of $100,661.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $103,681 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,628 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$74,730
2025 BLS Actual
$98,800
2026 Current Est.
$103,681
2020–2027 Growth
+45.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Raleigh (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,681 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,803 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 32.2% from $74,730 (2020) to $98,800 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,803 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,073 (45.59%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,642 – $102,505 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,505 – $103,681 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,681 – $108,130 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,130 – $110,953 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Raleigh
In Raleigh, approximately 1,220 dental hygienists are employed, contributing to a robust local job market. The cost of living index, which stands at 98.157, suggests that while purchasing power might be slightly lower than the national average, the salary for dental hygienist pay in Raleigh NC can still provide a comfortable lifestyle. The highest salaries typically come from multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), such as Heartland and Aspen Dental, which often offer benefits that private practices may lack. Factors such as production-based bonuses and differing schedules (four-day vs. five-day workweeks) can create notable wage disparities. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Raleigh, seeking employment with DSOs or negotiating for bonuses based on patient retention might be wise strategies, especially as these practices often adapt quickly to evolving market demands.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Raleigh, NC in 2026?
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Raleigh?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Raleigh?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Raleigh?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $98,800 for dental hygienistsin the Raleigh metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov