Dental Hygienist Pay

Charlotte vs Statesville: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Charlotte, NC and Statesville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$103,250
$49.64/hr
Statesville, NC
$99,801
$47.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCStatesville, NC
Median Salary$103,250$99,801
Hourly Rate$49.64$47.98
Entry Level (P10)$96,671$78,475
25th Percentile$101,456$85,521
75th Percentile$106,483$109,594
Top Earner (P90)$108,886$125,156
Total Employed1,9107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($103,250) and Statesville ($99,801) dental hygienist salaries.CharlotteStatesvilleMedian Salary$103,250$99,801Entry Level (P10)$96,671$78,475Top Earner (P90)$108,886$125,156US Median $102,946

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Statesville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Statesville is $3,449 (3.46%). Charlotte's median is +0.30% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $12,215,Statesville spans $46,681. Statesville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$96,671
P25$101,456
Median$103,250
P75$106,483
P90 (Top)$108,886
Statesville
P10 (Entry)$78,475
P25$85,521
Median$99,801
P75$109,594
P90 (Top)$125,156

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Statesville ($106,625 effective) pays 0.53% more than Charlotte ($106,063 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $103,250
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $106,063
Statesville
Nominal: $99,801
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $106,625

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,250/year)
  • Larger job market (1,910 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Statesville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($125,156)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,625)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Charlotte grew 32.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 33.7% growth in Statesville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+32.8%

$74,090 (2020) → $98,390 (2025)

Statesville, NC

+33.7%

$71,138 (2020) → $95,103 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Charlotte or Statesville?

Charlotte has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $103,250/year, compared to Statesville at $99,801/year — a difference of $3,449 (3.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Statesville?

Charlotte dental hygienists earn $49.64/hr while Statesville hygienists earn $47.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Statesville as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Statesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $106,063, Statesville = $106,625), job availability (1,910 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Charlotte vs Statesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $96,671 in Charlotte and $78,475 in Statesville. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov