Dental Hygienist Salary in Concord, NC: $104,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Concord, NC earns a median $104,940/year (≈ $50.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Concord's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $112,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist salary in Concord, North Carolina is projected to reach a median annual income of $104,940, aligning closely with the national figure of $102,946. This promising outlook reflects a competitive salary range where practitioners can earn between $77,483 and $137,099, based on varying levels of experience and workplace settings. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, providing valuable insight for both current hygienists and those considering a career in dental hygiene. The robust salary levels in Concord suggest a thriving market for dental health professionals, influenced by the overall growth in the healthcare industry within the region.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($90,933) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,483 | $37.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,945 | $41.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,940 | $50.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,407 | $56.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,099 | $65.91 |
Median Salary Position
1.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
In Concord, NC, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,616 (2026 est.). At $104,940, the local median is 1.94% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Concord: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Concord Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Concord median: $104,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Concord Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $100,614 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +1.94% more |
Dental Hygienists in Concord, NC earn a median of $104,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 4.30% above the North Carolina state average of $100,614.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Concord 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.
Concord, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $104,940 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,115 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$73,637
2025 BLS Actual
$100,000
2026 Current Est.
$104,940
2020–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Concord (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,637 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,635 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,083 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,124 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Concord metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 35.8% from $73,637 (2020) to $100,000 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,124 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,487 (49.55%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-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) | $77,483 – $86,945 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,945 – $104,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,940 – $117,407 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,407 – $137,099 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Concord
As of now, Concord hosts around 24 dental hygienists, contributing to the local dental health landscape. With a cost-of-living index at 93.6, residents enjoy a lower-than-national-average expense level, which enhances their purchasing power and overall quality of life. Within the local market, compensation significantly varies, with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental and Aspen often offering the most competitive packages, including sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits that solo or small practices may lack. Additionally, factors such as production-based bonuses related to patient recall and retention and differences in work schedules (four-day versus five-day weeks) can further influence earnings. For dental hygienists in Concord, maximizing income may involve strategically seeking employment with DSOs or negotiating favorable terms that reflect their skills and adaptability in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Concord, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Concord?
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
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 $100,000 for dental hygienistsin the Concord metropolitan area. A 4.94% 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 Concord 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 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov