Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in South Carolina
The median dentist earns $158,640 a year in South Carolina ($76.27 an hour), with the middle half earning between $121,090 and $228,820.[1]
25th percentile
$121,090
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$158,640
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$228,820
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $158,640 per year or $76.27/hr at the median. South Carolina runs about 7% 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 dentists 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 | $46.60 | $96,920 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $58.22 | $121,090 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $76.27 | $158,640 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $110.01 | $228,820 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $149.44 | $310,840 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $87.30 | $181,570 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in South Carolina
2,140
0.93
1.16
How South Carolina compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $158,640 in South Carolina vs. $170,950 nationally, $12,310 (7%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $96,920 vs. $86,250, 12% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $310,840 vs. $319,630, 3% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 10% in South Carolina vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in South Carolina
All 9 South Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $228,820 | $158,650–$310,840 | 480 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $189,220 | $134,990–$215,600 | 1,140 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $153,510 | $100,080–$210,040 | 160 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $144,640 | $121,050–$226,180 | 50 |
| Spartanburg | $140,360 | $122,110–$219,830 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $139,940 | $103,490–$222,500 | 540 |
| Florence | $137,260 | $110,220–$207,320 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $134,420 | $100,550–$208,250 | 130 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $121,090 | $105,170–$159,580 | 410 |
Job outlook for dentists in South Carolina
South Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 10% over 2024–2034, from 2,470 to 2,720 jobs, with about 90 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dentist (all dentists, including specialists) employment to grow 6% over 2025–35, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 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 dentist pay in South Carolina
Pay for a dentist 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.
For dental pros
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Browse open dentist roles in South Carolina, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in South Carolina: FAQ
How much do dentists make in South Carolina?
The median annual wage for dentists in South Carolina was $158,640 ($76.27 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $121,090 and $228,820. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $96,920 and the top 10% earned over $310,840. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in South Carolina earn more than the national median?
No. The South Carolina median of $158,640 is lower than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $12,310 (7%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which South Carolina metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 9 South Carolina metro areas with published BLS data, Columbia has the highest median at $228,820 a year. Charleston-North Charleston has the lowest, at $121,090.
How many dentists work in South Carolina?
BLS estimates 2,140 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in South Carolina in May 2025. That is 0.93 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.16, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in South Carolina?
South Carolina's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 10% over 2024–2034, from 2,470 to 2,720 jobs. That works out to about 90 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Hiring in South Carolina?
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Keep exploring
Other roles in South Carolina
- Dental Hygienist salary in South Carolina
- Dental Assistant 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
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, General (29-1021), 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: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)