How to Become A Dental Assistant in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 11,450 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,380 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a dental assistant in North Carolina, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in North Carolina
How do I become a dental assistant in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Dental Hygiene License by Credentials, Dental Hygiene License by Military Endorsement/Military Spouse, Dental Hygiene License by Examination. The licensing authority is the NC Board of Dental Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The NC Board of Dental Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for dental assistants in North Carolina is $50,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,240 and experienced professionals can earn $60,200 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: NC Board of Dental Examiners
- Median wage (North Carolina): $50,380 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Board of Dental Examiners oversees dental assistant licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygiene License by Credentials | Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x-rays, or apply fluoride or sealants. |
| Dental Hygiene License by Military Endorsement/Military Spouse | Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants. |
| Dental Hygiene License by Examination | Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants. |
| Dental Hygiene Provisional License | Practice restricted to offices of supervising dentist or to a dental school. Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. |
| Dental License by Credentials | Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. |
| Dental License by Examination | Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. |
| Instructors License (Dental) | Teach the practice of examine, diagnose, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. |
| Intern Permit (Dental) | Permit issued to residents in specialty programs at dental schools; practice is restricted to dental school facilities and under direct supervision. |
| Dental Provisional License | Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. |
| Limited Representative - Dental Services | Allows individuals to sell, solicit, and negotiate insurance contracts covering dental care issued by certain select carriers |
| Hospital Medical Dental Indemnity License | A corporation organized to maintain and operate a non-profit hospital, medical, or dental services plan by contracting for the payment of fees toward the furnishing of medical services. |
| Dental License by Military Endorsement/Military Spouse | Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Affidavit or referral required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,540 | $50,060 | $51,800 | $39,010 | $59,820 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 1,860 | $46,670 | $47,100 | $37,260 | $58,500 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 1,850 | $58,750 | $55,950 | $40,410 | $64,390 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 800 | $49,800 | $49,870 | $38,650 | $57,840 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 640 | $51,670 | $53,360 | $39,530 | $60,920 |
| Wilmington | 600 | $51,110 | $51,110 | $37,980 | $59,530 |
| Asheville | 560 | $56,680 | $53,650 | $38,230 | $60,200 |
| Winston-Salem | 480 | $50,060 | $51,570 | $38,370 | $59,260 |
| Fayetteville | 460 | $49,520 | $49,060 | $36,600 | $56,410 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 320 | $48,720 | $48,370 | $37,830 | $57,610 |
| Greenville | 230 | $49,420 | $48,190 | $37,650 | $56,130 |
| Jacksonville | 170 | $47,970 | $47,020 | $35,250 | $54,260 |
| Burlington | 150 | $50,140 | $50,440 | $37,910 | $57,360 |
| Goldsboro | 120 | $48,210 | $47,930 | $37,040 | $58,090 |
| Rocky Mount | 80 | $48,490 | $45,560 | $34,200 | $54,410 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,540 | $50,060 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 1,850 | $58,750 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 800 | $49,800 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 640 | $51,670 |
| Wilmington | 600 | $51,110 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 11,450 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a dental assistant in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Board of Dental Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina.
How much do dental assistants earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in North Carolina is $50,380, which is $3,080 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: http://ncdentalboard.org/# ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |