Dental Assistant salary in South Carolina
Dental Assistants in South Carolina earn a median of $47,320 a year ($22.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,480 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $48,070. South Carolina ranks 31st of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.4 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,310, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| 25th percentile | $43,000 | $20.68 |
| Median | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| 75th percentile | $50,780 | $24.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,480 | $28.12 |
| Average (mean) | $47,310 | $22.74 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,943.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,971.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,820 |
| Weekly | $910 |
| Hourly | $22.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,060 | 3,540 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $49,040 | 1,050 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $47,730 | 1,140 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $47,120 | 270 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $46,840 | 310 |
| Columbia, SC | $46,800 | 860 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $45,750 | 390 |
| Sumter, SC | $45,500 | 120 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,790 | 670 |
| Florence, SC | $42,220 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,000 | $27.88 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $33,870 | $16.29 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,220 | $17.90 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Orderly | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $33,280 | $16.00 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in South Carolina?
The median salary for dental assistants in South Carolina is $47,320 a year, or $22.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of dental assistants in South Carolina earn at least $58,480 a year. The top 25% earn $50,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,070 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $43,000 or less.
How many dental assistants work in South Carolina?
About 5,530 dental assistants are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.