Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Columbia
The median dental assistant earns $46,800 a year in the Columbia metro, with the middle half between $41,400 and $49,420.[1]
25th percentile
$41,400
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$46,800
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$49,420
Upper end of the middle half
Columbia runs about 1% lower than the South Carolina median and ranks 6th of 10 South Carolina metros. It is about 3% lower than the national median.
Columbia pay range vs. South Carolina and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | South Carolina annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,640 | $37,070 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $41,400 | $43,000 | $44,340 |
| Median | $46,800 | $47,320 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $49,420 | $50,780 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $55,980 | $58,480 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $46,580 | $47,310 | $50,200 |
860
2.18
0.87
For dental pros in Columbia
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Dental Assistant salary in Columbia: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Columbia?
The median dental assistant salary in the Columbia metro area is $46,800, with the middle half earning between $41,400 and $49,420 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $36,640 at the 10th percentile to $55,980 at the 90th.
Is Columbia higher or lower than the rest of South Carolina?
Columbia runs about 1% lower than the South Carolina state median for dental assistants. It ranks 6th of 10 South Carolina metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Columbia compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in Columbia is about 3% lower than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dental assistants work in the Columbia area?
BLS estimates 860 dental assistants were employed in the Columbia metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 0.87, so the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Other South Carolina metros
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