Dental hygienists in South Carolina earn a mean annual salary of $84,980 and a median of $84,340. The close alignment between those two figures tells you the market is relatively stable, without extreme outliers distorting the average. When setting an offer, use the median as your baseline and adjust up based on the candidate's experience and the specific city where the role is located.
Dental hygienist salary in South Carolina (2026)
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The average dental hygienist salary in South Carolina is $84,980 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $84,340 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. South Carolina employs 3,160 dental hygienists, and the $640 gap between the mean and median signals real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dental hygienists in South Carolina typically earn around $65,700, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $97,220 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dental hygienist hire, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $84,340 |
Average Annual Salary | $84,980 |
vs. National Average | 14.2% below the national mean of $98,990 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 3,160 employed dental hygienists across South Carolina.
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Dental hygienist salary percentiles in South Carolina
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $65,700 |
25th Percentile | $79,400 |
75th Percentile | $94,830 |
90th Percentile | $97,220 |
Employers hiring entry-level dental hygienists in South Carolina can anchor offers near $65,700, while roles requiring more experience or specialization will need to approach $94,830 to $97,220 to remain competitive. The relatively narrow gap between the 75th and 90th percentiles suggests that compensation compresses at the upper end of the market in this state.
Dental hygienist salary by city in South Carolina
City | Average Annual Salary |
Charleston | $91,920 |
Greenville | $87,110 |
Spartanburg | $83,230 |
Columbia | $80,370 |
Myrtle Beach | $78,760 |
Where you open a role in South Carolina will meaningfully affect what you need to budget for a dental hygienist. Charleston commands the highest average at $91,920, which is $13,160 more per year than Myrtle Beach at $78,760, so employers in coastal markets should expect to set offers noticeably higher than those hiring in other parts of the state.
How South Carolina compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
South Carolina | $84,980 | $84,340 |
Virginia | $105,120 | $102,950 |
North Carolina | $93,640 | $97,850 |
Georgia | $91,220 | $95,490 |
Florida | $88,320 | $91,980 |
Tennessee | $87,420 | $84,640 |
South Carolina is a cost-effective market for dental hygienist hiring relative to every neighboring state in this comparison. The statewide mean of $84,980 sits below Tennessee at $87,420, Florida at $88,320, Georgia at $91,220, North Carolina at $93,640, and Virginia at $105,120, giving employers in South Carolina a measurable labor cost advantage when recruiting locally rather than competing across state lines.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in South Carolina
How much does a dental hygienist make in South Carolina?
What do the top-earning dental hygienists make in South Carolina?
The 90th percentile threshold for dental hygienists in South Carolina is $97,220. Candidates at this level typically bring substantial clinical experience or work in higher-paying metro markets like Charleston. Budget toward or above this figure if you are competing for senior talent with a strong track record.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in South Carolina?
The salary range for dental hygienists in South Carolina runs from $65,700 at the 10th percentile to $97,220 at the 90th percentile. That $31,520 spread reflects real differences in experience, specialization, and location across the state. Use the 25th percentile of $79,400 as a floor for most standard hires and move toward the 75th percentile of $94,830 for more experienced candidates.
What is the average dental hygienist salary in South Carolina?
The average dental hygienist salary in South Carolina is $84,980 per year, which sits 14.2% below the national mean of $98,990. That gap reflects South Carolina's position as a lower-cost labor market compared to many other states. If you are recruiting candidates who are relocating from higher-wage states, be prepared to address that difference in your offer conversations.
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1292 (Dental Hygienists).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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