The average dentist salary in South Carolina is $181,570 per year. The median sits at $158,640, which is the more useful figure for most hiring decisions because it is less influenced by a small number of very high earners at the top of the market. When setting an offer, use the median as your baseline and adjust upward based on the candidate's experience and specialization.
Dentist salary in South Carolina (2026)
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The average dentist salary in South Carolina is $181,570 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $158,640 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. South Carolina employs 2,140 dentists, and the $22,930 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dentists in South Carolina typically earn around $96,920, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $310,840 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dentist hire in South Carolina, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $158,640 |
Average Annual Salary | $181,570 |
vs. National Average | 5.1% below the national mean of $191,350 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 2,140 employed dentists across South Carolina.
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Dentist salary percentiles in South Carolina
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $96,920 |
25th Percentile | $121,090 |
75th Percentile | $228,820 |
90th Percentile | $310,840 |
Employers setting an offer for a dentist in South Carolina should expect a wide range depending on experience level. Entry-level candidates typically fall near $96,920, while established senior practitioners reach $310,840 or beyond, so the seniority of the role you are filling will drive the offer more than any single benchmark figure.
Dentist salary by city in South Carolina
City | Average Annual Salary |
Columbia | $236,230 |
Spartanburg | $175,660 |
Greenville | $164,800 |
Myrtle Beach | $155,600 |
Charleston | $150,600 |
Location should factor into your compensation budget, since dentist pay varies by more than $85,000 across South Carolina metros. Columbia reports the highest average at $236,230, while Charleston sits at $150,600, meaning a role in the capital market will require a meaningfully higher offer than the same role on the coast. Employers hiring across multiple locations should set city-specific ranges rather than applying a single statewide figure.
How South Carolina compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
South Carolina | $181,570 | $158,640 |
Georgia | $214,040 | $206,760 |
Tennessee | $210,700 | $215,290 |
North Carolina | $207,550 | $207,000 |
Virginia | $197,820 | $197,110 |
Florida | $195,930 | $174,900 |
South Carolina is a cost-effective market for dentist hiring relative to every neighboring state in this comparison. The statewide mean of $181,570 sits below Georgia at $214,040, North Carolina at $207,550, and Virginia at $197,820, which means employers in South Carolina can generally offer competitive packages at a lower cost than peers in those markets. Candidates relocating from higher-paying states may have elevated salary expectations, so it is worth anchoring offers to local market data rather than the candidate's prior compensation.
Frequently asked questions about dentist salary in South Carolina
What is the average dentist salary in South Carolina?
What is the salary range for a dentist in South Carolina?
Dentist salaries in South Carolina range from $96,920 at the 10th percentile to $310,840 at the 90th percentile. The 25th percentile sits at $121,090 and the 75th percentile at $228,820, giving you a practical mid-range band for most general dentist hires. Use the 25th-to-75th percentile band as your core budgeting range and reserve the upper end for candidates with specialized skills or significant experience.
How does South Carolina compare to other states for dentist salary?
South Carolina's average dentist salary of $181,570 falls below all five comparison states, which range from Florida at $195,930 to Georgia at $214,040. This makes South Carolina a relatively lower-cost market for dentist compensation among southeastern states. Employers here can use that gap as a budgeting advantage, though candidates with experience in higher-paying markets may negotiate toward the upper end of the local range.
What do the top-earning dentists make in South Carolina?
Dentists at the 90th percentile in South Carolina earn $310,840 per year. The 75th percentile sits at $228,820, so senior practitioners with established patient bases or specialized skills command substantially higher pay than the statewide median. If you are recruiting for a senior or specialty role, plan your offer in the $228,820 to $310,840 range and expect strong candidates to negotiate toward the top of that band.
Dentist salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1021 (Dentists, General).
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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