Dental Hygienist Salary in South Carolina: $90,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $90,327/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,718 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($96,586), Charleston ($94,570), Hilton Head Island ($90,660).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for dental hygienists is projected to be $90,327 in 2026, which is approximately 12.3% below the national median of $102,946. There is a significant salary range across the state, with North Charleston offering the highest average salary at $101,357 and Clemson presenting the lowest at $80,280. This variance is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for dental services, and the presence of larger healthcare facilities in urban areas. South Carolina's dental hygienists must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws that govern their duties. The demand for dental hygienists is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.94%, reflecting a steady need for preventive dental care services. With a total of 2,611 dental hygienists employed in the state, job opportunities are likely to increase, particularly in metropolitan areas like Charleston, where the projected salary is $99,242, and Hilton Head Island, at $95,139. Understanding these factors can help prospective dental hygienists make informed decisions about their careers in South Carolina.
South Carolina Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $63,121 (lowest entry-level) to $129,672 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina dental hygienists earn 12.26% less than the national median ($-12,619/year difference).
South Carolina Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in South Carolina range from $73,713 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,277 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $90,327. The South Carolina median is $12,619 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $43.43/hr. Approximately 2,611 dental hygienists are employed across 26 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$61,207
2025 BLS Actual
$86,075
2026 Current Est.
$90,327
2020–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in South Carolina (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $61,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,455 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,505 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,558 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,649 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,075 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,789 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 40.6% from $61,207 (2020) to $86,075 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,789 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,582 (54.87%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $101,357 | 91.5 | $110,773 |
| Bluffton | $93,330 | 91.5 | $102,000 |
| Greer | $91,662 | 91.5 | $100,177 |
| Anderson | $91,569 | 91.5 | $100,075 |
| Charleston | $99,242 | 100.962 | $98,296 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $73,713 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $90,327 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,277 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $101,357 |
| 2 | Charleston | $99,242 |
| 3 | Hilton Head Island | $95,139 |
| 4 | Bluffton | $93,330 |
| 5 | Greer | $91,662 |
| 6 | Anderson | $91,569 |
| 7 | Greenville | $89,503 |
| 8 | Mount Pleasant | $88,458 |
| 9 | Spartanburg | $87,919 |
| 10 | Rock Hill | $86,828 |
| 11 | Aiken | $86,447 |
| 12 | Columbia | $86,439 |
| 13 | Hanahan | $86,326 |
| 14 | Mauldin | $85,819 |
| 15 | Summerville | $85,358 |
| 16 | Florence | $85,211 |
| 17 | Sumter | $85,159 |
| 18 | Myrtle Beach | $84,896 |
| 19 | Simpsonville | $83,951 |
| 20 | Fort Mill | $83,912 |
| 21 | Goose Creek | $83,715 |
| 22 | Conway | $83,331 |
| 23 | Lexington | $82,344 |
| 24 | Easley | $80,876 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $80,430 |
| 26 | Clemson | $80,280 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new dental hygienists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in South Carolina?
How many dental hygienists are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov