Dental Assistant Salary in High Point, NC: $50,573 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in High Point, NC earns a median $50,573/year (≈ $24.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in High Point's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $54,031 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In High Point, North Carolina, the 2026 median annual dental assistant salary is projected at $50,573, positioning it slightly above the national average of $49,579. This city’s dental assistant pay reflects the influence of the state's EFDA expanded function rules, enabling credentialed assistants to earn more than their peers in many regions. The salary range is also notable, stretching from $39,240 at the 10th percentile to $68,472 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, take into account local economic conditions and the area’s cost of living, which plays a vital role in shaping overall compensation. High Point's dynamic job market results from the increasing number of dental practices and specialty offices that recognize the critical value dental assistants bring to patient care.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,240 | $18.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,527 | $22.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,573 | $24.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,941 | $30.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,472 | $32.92 |
Median Salary Position
2.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in High Point
In High Point, NC, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,232 (2026 est.). At $50,573, the local median is 2% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in High Point: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How High Point Dental Assistant Pay Compares
High Point median: $50,573/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | High Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,500 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +2.00% more |
Dental Assistants in High Point, NC earn a median of $50,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.00% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.80% below the North Carolina state average of $51,500.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
High Point has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
High Point, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $50,573 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,031 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,883
2025 BLS Actual
$49,033
2026 Current Est.
$50,573
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,883 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,005 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,434 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,718 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,472 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,573 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,161 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the High Point metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $40,883 (2019) to $49,033 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,161 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,278 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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) | $39,240 – $46,527 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,527 – $50,573 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,573 – $62,941 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,941 – $68,472 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in High Point
With 23 dental assistants currently employed in High Point, the local job market reflects a manageable scale, yet professionals should carefully consider the cost of living index of 93.6, indicating affordability that enhances take-home purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers that typically offer higher wages include specialized practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, which can pay more due to the complexity and intensity of the procedures involved. Additionally, dental support organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen often implement standardized pay scales, which can impact earnings. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors like specialty focus, EFDA credentials, and potential roles as treatment coordinators, which lead to increased responsibilities and pay. For those pursuing dental assistant roles in High Point, maximizing pay might involve seeking employment in specialized areas or attaining EFDA certification to take advantage of the compensation benefits it provides.
More salary data for High Point, 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 $49,033 for dental assistantsin the High Point 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
Salary data for High Point 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