Launch your dental career with free online training. North Carolina dental assistants earn $49,470+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$49,470/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
5,800+
Population 65+
17.3
Training Cost
FREE
Tar Heel State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 5,800+ dental practices and a population where 17.3 are over 65.
North Carolina dental assistants earn $49,470 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $52,500 - $60,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across North Carolina.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
North Carolina requires dental assistants to register with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. North Carolina offers Dental Assistant II (DA II) credentials for expanded functions through additional training.
North Carolina requires dental assistants to complete a Board-approved radiography course and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or NC state exam. Radiography certification is separate from DA registration and must be renewed with continuing education.
Largest market, banking hub
UNC dental school, tech economy
Piedmont Triad region
Mountain region, growing market
Coastal region, retirement community
North Carolina offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 350+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 385 S Columbia St, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
North Carolina's only dental school with comprehensive clinical and research programs.
View Careers →Employees: 1,000+
Facilities: 50+ locations
Location: Multiple NC locations
National DSO with extensive North Carolina presence.
View Careers →Employees: 600+
Facilities: 30+ locations
Location: Multiple NC locations
Doctor-led DSO with growing North Carolina footprint.
View Careers →Employees: 300+
Facilities: Multiple locations
Location: Charlotte area
Charlotte's largest health system with dental services.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 10 locations
Location: Piedmont region
Community health center serving Central North Carolina.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: 5 locations
Location: Durham area
Community health center serving Durham's diverse communities.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: 8 locations
Location: Western NC mountains
Community health center serving Western North Carolina.
View Careers →Employees: 8,500+
Facilities: 4,900+ practices
Location: Statewide
Diverse private practices from Charlotte to the Outer Banks.
View Careers →Amanda S.
Chapel Hill • UNC Dental
"Working at UNC dental school means cutting-edge education and research. Amazing colleagues!"
2024-11
Marcus T.
Charlotte • Atrium Health
"Charlotte's growth means endless opportunities. Atrium provides excellent career paths."
2024-10
Jennifer K.
Asheville • Blue Ridge Health
"Mountain community health work is rewarding. Asheville lifestyle is incredible!"
2024-09
North Carolina dental assistants earn an average of $49,470 annually ($23.78/hour). Entry-level positions start at $39,500-$45,000, while experienced DAs earn $52,500-$60,000. Research Triangle pays highest at $48,000-$56,000. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Yes, North Carolina requires dental assistants to register with the State Board of Dental Examiners. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. DA II credentials require additional training for expanded functions.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. North Carolina registration requires proof of training plus radiography certification. The complete process typically takes 2-3 months from enrollment to employment.
Excellent outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. North Carolina's 10.7 million population, 5,800+ dental practices, and rapid growth (particularly Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham) create strong demand. UNC dental school trains state's workforce.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for North Carolina registration fee, radiography certification exam, and any optional certifications when ready. Many NC employers reimburse certification costs.
Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) leads with $48,000-$56,000 driven by tech economy and UNC dental school. Charlotte offers $47,000-$55,000 as banking hub. Asheville provides $45,000-$52,000 in growing mountain market.
North Carolina offers: (1) UNC Adams School of Dentistry for academic employment, (2) Rapid population growth creating opportunities, (3) Diverse regions from mountains to coast, (4) Major health systems (Atrium, Duke, UNC), (5) Lower cost of living than Northeast.
DA I registration allows basic dental assistant functions. DA II credentials require additional Board-approved training and allow expanded functions including coronal polishing, sealants, and other procedures. DA II certification increases employment opportunities and earning potential.
Join thousands of North Carolina residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredNorth Carolina's dental workforce serves approximately 10.7 million residents through an estimated 5,800+ dental practices. Charlotte and the Research Triangle dominate dental employment, with significant markets in the Piedmont Triad, Asheville, and coastal communities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports North Carolina employed approximately 16,800 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $49,470—above the national median, reflecting the state's growing economy and competitive healthcare market.
UNC Adams School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill is North Carolina's only dental school. The school trains approximately 80 dentists annually and operates extensive clinical programs creating academic employment opportunities for dental assistants.
North Carolina ranks among America's fastest-growing states, with Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham experiencing particularly rapid expansion. This population growth drives dental practice development and creates sustained employment demand.
Major health systems including Atrium Health (Charlotte), Duke Health (Durham), and UNC Health operate dental services throughout their networks. These organizations provide structured employment with benefits and career advancement opportunities.
North Carolina's geographic diversity—from Appalachian mountains to Piedmont cities to coastal beaches—creates varied practice opportunities. Western NC's Blue Ridge Health and other community health centers serve mountain communities with potential loan repayment benefits.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.