Dental Assistant Salary in Matthews, NC: $50,906 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Matthews, NC earns a median $50,906/year (≈ $24.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $54,387 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Matthews, North Carolina, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $50,906 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $49,579. Local salaries reflect a range from $40,016 at the 10th percentile to $62,211 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, illustrate the potential for lucrative earnings, especially for those specializing in areas like oral surgery and orthodontics, where additional training can lead to premium compensation. As the job market evolves, Matthews presents opportunities that cater to a vibrant community of dental professionals.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,016 | $19.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,064 | $22.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,906 | $24.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,752 | $28.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,211 | $29.91 |
Median Salary Position
2.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,195 (2026 est.). At $50,906, the local median is 2.68% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Matthews Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Matthews median: $50,906/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,472 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +2.68% more |
Dental Assistants in Matthews, NC earn a median of $50,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.68% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $51,472.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $50,906 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,387 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,152
2025 BLS Actual
$49,356
2026 Current Est.
$50,906
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,152 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,282 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,694 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,019 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,356 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,906 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,504 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $41,152 (2019) to $49,356 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,504 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,352 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $40,016 – $47,064 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,064 – $50,906 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,906 – $59,752 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,752 – $62,211 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Matthews
The local job market for dental assistants is characterized by a modest figure of eight employed in the area, set against a cost-of-living index of 93.6, which indicates that salaries may stretch further than in more expensive regions. General dental practices typically provide baseline pay, while specialized offices—such as orthodontic and oral surgery clinics—tend to offer higher salaries due to the complexities involved. Factors contributing to the salary range include the extent of specialization, EFDA credentialing where applicable, and whether a dental assistant operates in a hybrid role with additional responsibilities. To enhance earning potential in Matthews, pursuing expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) training is advisable, as it can significantly raise compensation by 25-40% in states that allow these credentials. Additionally, seeking employment with large dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen, which often have structured pay scales, can provide stability and growth opportunities within the profession.
More salary data for Matthews, 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 $49,356 for dental assistantsin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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