Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in South Carolina
The median dental assistant earns $47,320 a year in South Carolina ($22.75 an hour), with the middle half earning between $43,000 and $50,780.[1]
25th percentile
$43,000
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$47,320
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$50,780
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $47,320 per year or $22.75/hr at the median. South Carolina runs about 2% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in South Carolina
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in South Carolina earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | South Carolina hourly | South Carolina annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.82 | $37,070 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $20.68 | $43,000 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $22.75 | $47,320 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $24.41 | $50,780 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $28.12 | $58,480 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $22.74 | $47,310 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in South Carolina
5,530
2.40
0.96
How South Carolina compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $47,320 in South Carolina vs. $48,070 nationally, $750 (2%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $37,070 vs. $37,130, about the same.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $58,480 vs. $62,250, 6% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 12.2% in South Carolina vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in South Carolina
All 10 South Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $50,060 | $48,110–$57,740 | 3,540 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $49,040 | $47,030–$58,390 | 1,050 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $47,730 | $45,190–$48,990 | 1,140 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $47,120 | $43,590–$52,420 | 270 |
| Spartanburg | $46,840 | $39,300–$49,310 | 310 |
| Columbia | $46,800 | $41,400–$49,420 | 860 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $45,750 | $38,180–$47,200 | 390 |
| Sumter | $45,500 | $37,320–$46,650 | 120 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $43,790 | $37,700–$47,100 | 670 |
| Florence | $42,220 | $37,070–$46,610 | 240 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in South Carolina
South Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 12.2% over 2024–2034, from 5,080 to 5,700 jobs, with about 750 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in South Carolina
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
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Dental Assistant salary in South Carolina: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in South Carolina?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in South Carolina was $47,320 ($22.75 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $43,000 and $50,780. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,070 and the top 10% earned over $58,480.
Do dental assistants in South Carolina earn more than the national median?
No. The South Carolina median of $47,320 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $750 (2%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which South Carolina metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 10 South Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia has the highest median at $50,060 a year. Florence has the lowest, at $42,220.
How many dental assistants work in South Carolina?
BLS estimates 5,530 dental assistants were employed in South Carolina in May 2025. That is 2.40 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.96, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in South Carolina?
South Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 12.2% over 2024–2034, from 5,080 to 5,700 jobs. That works out to about 750 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in South Carolina?
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Other roles in South Carolina
- Dental Hygienist salary in South Carolina
- Dentist salary in South Carolina
- Dental Specialist salary in South Carolina
- Dental Front Office salary in South Carolina
- Dental Office Manager salary in South Carolina
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in South Carolina
- Dental Lab Technician salary in South Carolina
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, South Carolina long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants