Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dental Hygienist Salary in Columbia

The median dental hygienist earns $82,370 a year in the Columbia metro, with the middle half between $77,400 and $91,080.[1]

25th percentile

$77,400

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$82,370

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$91,080

Upper end of the middle half

Columbia runs about 2% lower than the South Carolina median and ranks 6th of 10 South Carolina metros. It is about 16% lower than the national median.

Columbia pay range vs. South Carolina and the U.S.

Dental Hygienist annual wages: Columbia vs. South Carolina vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualSouth Carolina annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$63,030$65,700$74,880
25th percentile$77,400$79,400$83,570
Median$82,370$84,340$98,100
75th percentile$91,080$94,830$108,480
90th percentile$91,250$97,220$126,050
Mean (average)$80,370$84,980$98,990

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

620

About 20% of South Carolina's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

1.57

South Carolina: 1.37

Location quotient

1.09

1.00 = U.S. average; close to the national average

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Dental Hygienist salary in Columbia: FAQ

How much do dental hygienists make in Columbia?

The median dental hygienist salary in the Columbia metro area is $82,370, with the middle half earning between $77,400 and $91,080 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $63,030 at the 10th percentile to $91,250 at the 90th.

Is Columbia higher or lower than the rest of South Carolina?

Columbia runs about 2% lower than the South Carolina state median for dental hygienists. It ranks 6th of 10 South Carolina metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does Columbia compare nationally?

Dental Hygienist pay in Columbia is about 16% lower than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dental hygienists work in the Columbia area?

BLS estimates 620 dental hygienists were employed in the Columbia metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.09, so the role is close to the national average.