Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Wake Forest, NC: $24.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Wake Forest, NC runs $24.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,773 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Wake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,468 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, NC, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to be $24.41 in 2026, a figure that surpasses the national hourly median of $23.84. This competitive pay rate benefits those who work part-time in diverse settings, such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and orthodontic chair rows, allowing for an adaptable schedule that can accommodate personal preferences and commitments. For per-diem workers, who often take shifts on an as-needed basis, the financial rewards can also be significant, especially as they bridge into various specialties. The hourly pay for dental assistants ranges from $19.76 at entry-level positions to $32.07 for those at the top of the earning spectrum, reflecting the value of experience, skills, and specific practice settings.
About the Wake Forest 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) | $19.76 | $158.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.47 | $179.79 |
| Median (P50) | $24.41 | $195.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.88 | $239.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.07 | $256.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wake Forest
Based on $24.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.41/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wake Forest, NC can expect to earn approximately $50,780 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,296. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $976.53 | $4,232 | $50,780 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $585.92 | $2,539 | $30,468 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $390.61 | $1,693 | $20,312 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Wake Forest) | $24.41 |
| 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 Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $50,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.41% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $51,494.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.41/hr = $30,468/year (purchasing power: $32,551).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,780/year (purchasing power: $54,252).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Wake Forest grew 19.9% from $19.74/hr (2019) to $23.67/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.18/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 Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest
Looking deeper into the earning potential for dental assistants in Wake Forest reveals interesting contrasts between part-time work and full-time commitments. A dental assistant working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) would take home around $30,000 annually, which is substantially less than a full-time counterpart making over $50,000. Agencies and per-diem opportunities, such as those offered by Cloud Dentistry and GoTu, frequently charge rates between $22 and $35 per hour; specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics can push those rates up to $28-$45. In Wake Forest, hourly rates also vary significantly based on the type of employer—be it a solo practice, a group practice, or a DSO chain like Heartland or Aspen. While some assistants accept lower hourly rates for health insurance benefits, others may prefer the flexibility of higher hourly rates without benefits. For those looking to negotiate, being informed about regional pay scales and the demand within specific specialties can provide leverage in discussions with employers.
More salary data for Wake Forest, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Wake Forest in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Wake Forest?
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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 Wake Forest. 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 Wake Forest 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