Dental Assistant Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $51,075 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $51,075/year (≈ $24.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $55,530 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, NC, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants in 2026 stands at $51,075, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national median of $49,579. The salary spectrum ranges from $37,749 at the lower end to $58,181 for top earners, indicating potential for growth within this sector. These insights are drawn from official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected forward to 2026. As the demand for dental care increases, particularly in specialties like orthodontics and oral surgery, those aspiring to heightened salaries can find value in additional certifications that open doors to higher-paying positions in this evolving job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,749 | $18.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,774 | $22.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,075 | $24.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,469 | $27.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,181 | $27.97 |
Median Salary Position
3.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,432 (2026 est.). At $51,075, the local median is 3.02% above the national median of $49,579.
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At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be above the median
How Fayetteville Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $51,075/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,487 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +3.02% more |
Dental Assistants in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $51,075 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.02% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 0.80% below the North Carolina state average of $51,487.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $51,075 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,530 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,220
2025 BLS Actual
$49,520
2026 Current Est.
$51,075
2019–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,075 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,679 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 26.3% from $39,220 (2019) to $49,520 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,679 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,459 (34.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,749 – $47,774 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,774 – $51,075 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,075 – $56,469 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,469 – $58,181 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Fayetteville
Fayetteville's job market for dental assistants is robust, with approximately 460 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index in Fayetteville is notably lower at 91.978, which positively impacts take-home earnings, allowing for greater purchasing power among dental assistants. Employers in the Fayetteville area that offer the most competitive wages include oral surgery and orthodontic practices, which typically command higher salaries compared to general dental offices. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialty expertise, expanded function authority (EFDA) credentials, and the increasing prevalence of treatment coordinator roles within dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Pacific Dental. For dental assistants seeking to maximize their pay, pursuing additional training, specializing in high-demand areas, and considering positions within DSOs may offer advantageous pathways to improved compensation.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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
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 $49,520 for dental assistantsin the Fayetteville metropolitan area. A 3.14% 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, 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