PayByState

South Carolina · BLS SOC 29-1292

Dental Hygienist salary in South Carolina

Median $85,780 · Top 10% earn $100,350+ · Roughly 3,396 workers in South Carolina. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

South Carolina median
$85,780
$41.24/hr
Top 10%
$100,350
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$57,320
Entry-level range
Real pay
$93,749
CoL-adjusted (RPP 91.5)

South Carolina pays modestly below the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $85,780 versus the national median of $94,260. 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 3,396 dental hygienists.

What drives dental hygienist pay in South Carolina

South Carolina pays close to the U.S. median for dental hygienists. 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 hygienist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. South Carolina
#36 Georgia $86,720 +$940
#35 Nebraska $87,660 +$1,880
#34 North Carolina $87,660 +$1,880
#37 South Carolina (this page) $85,780 —
#44 South Dakota $83,890 −$1,890
#45 Oklahoma $83,890 −$1,890
#46 Kentucky $83,890 −$1,890
See all 50 states →

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Education path for South Carolina

The typical path is a associate degree + state license (some bs), taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $12,000 (community college) to $65,000 (private accelerated). On the South Carolina median of $85,780, payback periods are typically 1.2 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

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

Dental Hygienist salary in South Carolina — FAQ

What is the average dental hygienist salary in South Carolina?
The median dental hygienist salary in South Carolina is $85,780 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $57,320; the top 10% earn $100,350 or more. About 3,396 people work in this role across the state.
How does South Carolina dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina's median of $85,780 is $8,480 below the U.S. national median of $94,260. After adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 91.5), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $93,749.
Is dental hygienist a good career in South Carolina?
On the data: South Carolina employs roughly 3,396 dental hygienists, with a median wage of $85,780 and the top decile clearing $100,350. The role is projected to grow +9% 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 hygienists in South Carolina?
At the South Carolina median of $85,780 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $41.24/hr. The top 10% earn around $48.25/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $27.56/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

South Carolina-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1292: Dental Hygienists), 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.