PayByState

South Carolina · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in South Carolina

Median $43,090 · Top 10% earn $52,780+ · Roughly 5,657 workers in South Carolina. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

South Carolina median
$43,090
$20.72/hr
Top 10%
$52,780
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$30,130
Entry-level range
Real pay
$47,093
CoL-adjusted (RPP 91.5)

South Carolina pays modestly below the U.S. median for dental assistants — $43,090 versus the national median of $47,350. South Carolina's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 5,657 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in South Carolina

South Carolina pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

South Carolina ranks #37 of 50 states

Where South Carolina sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. South Carolina
#36 Georgia $43,560 +$470
#35 Nebraska $44,040 +$950
#34 North Carolina $44,040 +$950
#37 South Carolina (this page) $43,090 —
#44 South Dakota $42,140 −$950
#45 Oklahoma $42,140 −$950
#46 Kentucky $42,140 −$950
See all 50 states →

Find Dental Assistant programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for South Carolina

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the South Carolina median of $43,090, payback periods are typically 1.1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with South Carolina selected.

Dental Assistant salary in South Carolina — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in South Carolina?
The median dental assistant salary in South Carolina is $43,090 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $30,130; the top 10% earn $52,780 or more. About 5,657 people work in this role across the state.
How does South Carolina dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina's median of $43,090 is $4,260 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 91.5), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $47,093.
Is dental assistant a good career in South Carolina?
On the data: South Carolina employs roughly 5,657 dental assistants, with a median wage of $43,090 and the top decile clearing $52,780. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in South Carolina?
At the South Carolina median of $43,090 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $20.72/hr. The top 10% earn around $25.38/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $14.49/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

South Carolina-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where South Carolina's RPP is 91.5 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.