Dental Assistant Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $50,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $50,773/year (≈ $24.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $54,245 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, North Carolina, the earning potential for dental assistants is projected to reach a median annual salary of $50,773 in 2026, which places it slightly above the national median of $49,579. The local salary range varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning approximately $41,099 and the top 90% surpassing $66,688. These figures are reflective of regional cost adjustments and state-level data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Notably, the specialty of oral surgery and orthodontics tends to offer higher compensation, which can enhance the overall pay scale for those assistants in these fields. As Wake Forest continues to grow, the demand for skilled dental assistants remains strong, potentially leading to competitive salary offers across varying practice types.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,099 | $19.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,752 | $22.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,773 | $24.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,143 | $29.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,688 | $32.07 |
Median Salary Position
2.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,589 (2026 est.). At $50,773, the local median is 2.41% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $50,773/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,494 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +2.41% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $50,773 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,245 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,045
2025 BLS Actual
$49,227
2026 Current Est.
$50,773
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,045 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,171 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,899 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,759 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,227 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,367 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $41,045 (2019) to $49,227 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,367 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,322 (27.58%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,099 – $46,752 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,752 – $50,773 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,773 – $62,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,143 – $66,688 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Wake Forest
The job market in Wake Forest features a modest number of employed dental assistants, currently tallying at just nine in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, the purchasing power in this locale is relatively robust, allowing dental assistants to optimize their take-home pay. Higher pay is typically found in specialty practices such as oral surgery and orthodontics, where the intricacies of patient care often warrant larger compensation packages. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include their specialization, additional credentials like EFDA, and roles that blend duties such as treatment coordinators. For those looking to maximize earnings in Wake Forest, acquiring advanced certifications and seeking opportunities with DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen can lead to enhanced salary prospects, as these employers often have standardized pay scales and training protocols that support career development for dental assistants.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 $49,227 for dental assistantsin the Wake Forest 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 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