Dental Hygienist salary in South Carolina
Dental Hygienists in South Carolina earn a median of $84,340 a year ($40.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,220 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $98,100. South Carolina ranks 43rd of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.4 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,700 | $31.59 |
| 25th percentile | $79,400 | $38.17 |
| Median | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| 75th percentile | $94,830 | $45.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,220 | $46.74 |
| Average (mean) | $84,980 | $40.86 |
Half of dental hygienists 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 | $7,028.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,514.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,243.85 |
| Weekly | $1,621.92 |
| Hourly | $40.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,340 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 Hygienist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,390 | 1,910 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $94,570 | 540 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $90,660 | 160 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $85,290 | 600 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $83,780 | 170 |
| Columbia, SC | $82,370 | 620 |
| Florence, SC | $81,200 | 110 |
| Sumter, SC | $81,150 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $80,900 | 210 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $79,840 | 370 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| Pharmacist | $135,700 | $65.24 |
| Physicians, All Other | $274,480 | $131.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,330 | $48.72 |
| Physician Assistant | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $90,530 | $43.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,640 | $76.27 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $359,500 | $172.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,200 | $115.00 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,480 | $127.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. 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 hygienist make in South Carolina?
The median salary for dental hygienists in South Carolina is $84,340 a year, or $40.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in South Carolina earn at least $97,220 a year. The top 25% earn $94,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,700 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $79,400 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in South Carolina?
About 3,160 dental hygienists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.