Pay by state / South Carolina
SC · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in South Carolina
South Carolina's 3,160 dental hygienists earned a mean of $84,980 in May 2025, 14% below the US mean and number 43 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $181,570 (-5% against the US), and orthodontists $292,350. Dental assistants earned $47,310.
- 1Dental hygienists $84,980
- 2General dentists $181,570
- 3Orthodontists $292,350
- 4Dental assistants $47,310
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | SC mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | – | – | $292,350 | $259,400 | +13% |
| General dentists | 2,140 | 0.93 | $181,570 | $191,350 | -5% |
| Dental hygienists | 3,160 | 1.369 | $84,980 | $98,990 | -14% |
| Dental assistants | 5,530 | 2.398 | $47,310 | $50,200 | -6% |
How South Carolina ranks
- Orthodontists: number 9 of 19 published states for mean pay ($292,350, median $311,450).
- General dentists: number 30 of 47 published states for mean pay ($181,570, median $158,640), with 0.93 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 43 of 50 published states for mean pay ($84,980, median $84,340), with 1.369 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 33 of 50 published states for mean pay ($47,310, median $47,320), with 2.398 per 1,000 jobs.
South Carolina and the South Atlantic division
Among the 9 South Atlantic jurisdictions with published figures, South Carolina ranks 8 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $84,340 and half less. The Census Bureau groups these states as a division, which makes a fairer comparison than the national figure when living costs differ by region.
| South Atlantic | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $100,660 | – | $47,520 |
| District of Columbia | $127,910 | – | $63,360 |
| Florida | $88,320 | $195,930 | $48,500 |
| Georgia | $91,220 | $214,040 | $46,870 |
| Maryland | $109,090 | $185,740 | $50,720 |
| North Carolina | $93,640 | $207,550 | $51,510 |
| South Carolina | $84,980 | $181,570 | $47,310 |
| Virginia | $105,120 | $197,820 | $47,490 |
| West Virginia | $71,290 | $200,640 | $41,280 |
Staffing in South Carolina
There are 1.5 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in South Carolina, fewer than the national ratio of about 1.8. A practice here employing one hygienist and one assistant at the state's mean wages pays $132,290 a year in their salaries alone, before benefits. Owners of practices are not counted in these BLS figures, so dentist and orthodontist numbers understate how many work in South Carolina.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in South Carolina earn 13% more than the US mean. Wages are one input to what practices charge, alongside rent, equipment and competition, so they explain only part of why quotes differ. Your quote is what matters: put it, your insurance's orthodontic benefit and your FSA or HSA plans into the calculator.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state and national files). “–” = not published by BLS. Checked 2026-10-24. Methodology.