Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Mint Hill, NC: $24.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Mint Hill, NC runs $24.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,490 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Mint Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,300 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mint Hill, NC, dental assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $24.28, slightly outperforming the national median of $23.84. This hourly wage translates into attractive earning potential for both part-time and per-diem workers, who typically operate in various environments such as general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, orthodontic settings, and surgical suites. Entry-level positions begin around $18.75, while experienced dental assistants can command up to $30.13 per hour. This competitive pay structure reflects Mint Hill's local market dynamics, where the demand for skilled dental assistants contributes to a robust compensation framework based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
About the Mint Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.75 | $150.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.20 | $177.57 |
| Median (P50) | $24.28 | $194.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.78 | $230.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.13 | $241.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mint Hill
Based on $24.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.28/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mint Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $50,501 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,135. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mint Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mint Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $971.17 | $4,208 | $50,501 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $582.70 | $2,525 | $30,300 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.47 | $1,683 | $20,200 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Mint Hill) | $24.28 |
| 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 Mint Hill, NC earn a median of $50,490 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.84% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $51,521.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.28/hr = $30,300/year (purchasing power: $32,372).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,501/year (purchasing power: $53,954).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Mint Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Mint Hill grew 19.9% from $19.63/hr (2019) to $23.54/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.04/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 Mint Hill 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 Mint Hill
For those working part-time, a dental assistant’s earnings can vary significantly: a typical three-day workweek could yield approximately $37,894 annually, compared to the full-time average, which easily surpasses $50,000. Per-diem dental assistants often have even more lucrative opportunities; they can bill between $22 and $35 per hour for standard shifts, spiking to $28 to $45 per hour in specialty practices like oral surgery or orthodontics. Employers such as general dental practices, pediatric offices, or larger DSO chains like Heartland or Aspen pay differently, influencing the overall income. Some dental assistants may choose lower rates in exchange for health insurance, which adds complexity to how one evaluates their pay. Gaining insights on the various compensation structures available in Mint Hill can empower dental assistants to negotiate effectively when considering new positions or shifts.
More salary data for Mint Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Mint Hill. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mint Hill is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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