Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Goldsboro, NC: $23.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Goldsboro, NC runs $23.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,724 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Goldsboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,837 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Goldsboro, North Carolina, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to be $23.91 for 2026, slightly above the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate positions dental assistants favorably, especially those working part-time in general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, oral surgery procedure rooms, and various other settings. For those who choose to work just three days a week, this competitive pay can be quite advantageous, providing a decent income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly pay scale ranges from $18.37 for entry-level positions to $28.81 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse range of duties and responsibilities that dental assistants undertake.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.37 | $146.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.27 | $178.14 |
| Median (P50) | $23.91 | $191.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.49 | $203.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.81 | $230.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Goldsboro
Based on $23.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.91/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Goldsboro, NC can expect to earn approximately $49,728 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,689. With a cost-of-living index of 88.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Goldsboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Goldsboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $956.31 | $4,144 | $49,728 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $573.79 | $2,486 | $29,837 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $382.53 | $1,658 | $19,891 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Goldsboro) | $23.91 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $49,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.29% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.40% below the North Carolina state average of $51,474.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.91/hr = $29,837/year (purchasing power: $33,729).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,728/year (purchasing power: $56,214).
CoL index: 88.462 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Goldsboro grew 23.9% from $18.71/hr (2019) to $23.18/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro 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 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Goldsboro
The earning potential is particularly interesting when considering the part-time market; a dental assistant working 24 hours per week could potentially earn around $29,700 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts, who can make upwards of $49,724. Moreover, per diem dental assistant pay in Goldsboro typically runs between $22 and $35 per hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery and orthodontics often commanding even higher rates, reaching $28 to $45 per hour. Hourly rates can significantly vary based on the employer type, including general dental practices, pediatric offices, and dental school clinics. Many dental assistants must weigh the benefits of health insurance and other perks from full-time positions against the higher hourly rate offered in temporary or per diem roles without such benefits. Those entering negotiations for hourly roles should emphasize their skill sets while being aware of the market standards set by DSOs like Heartland and Aspen, to ensure they receive fair compensation in their chosen position.
More salary data for Goldsboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Goldsboro in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Goldsboro?
Are dental assistants in Goldsboro paid hourly or salary?
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Related Pages
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Goldsboro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov