Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Columbia
The median dentist earns $228,820 a year in the Columbia metro, with the middle half between $158,650 and $310,840.[1]
25th percentile
$158,650
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$228,820
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$310,840
Upper end of the middle half
Columbia runs about 44% higher than the South Carolina median and ranks 1st of 9 South Carolina metros. It is about 34% higher 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 | $104,860 | $96,920 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $158,650 | $121,090 | $125,710 |
| Median | $228,820 | $158,640 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $310,840 | $228,820 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $310,840 | $310,840 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $236,230 | $181,570 | $191,350 |
480
1.23
1.53
For dental pros in Columbia
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Dentist salary in Columbia: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Columbia?
The median dentist salary in the Columbia metro area is $228,820, with the middle half earning between $158,650 and $310,840 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $104,860 at the 10th percentile to $310,840 at the 90th.
Is Columbia higher or lower than the rest of South Carolina?
Columbia runs about 44% higher than the South Carolina state median for dentists. It ranks 1st of 9 South Carolina metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Columbia compare nationally?
Dentist pay in Columbia is about 34% higher than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dentists work in the Columbia area?
BLS estimates 480 dentists were employed in the Columbia metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.53, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Other South Carolina metros