How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make in South Carolina in 2026?

A typical Dental Hygienist in South Carolina earns about $40.55 per hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $84,340 a year. On a monthly basis, that's close to $7,028, or about $1,622 a week.

That pay runs 14% below the national figure of $98,100 a year, placing South Carolina 43rd out of 50 states for Dental Hygienist pay. Lower pay in South Carolina generally tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. The state employs about 3,160 Dental Hygienists, a workforce large enough to make these figures a reliable read on typical pay across the state.

Entry-level positions in South Carolina typically offer around $31.59 an hour, or about $65,700 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. That's the starting point for someone new to the field. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $84,340 within a few years of experience.

Experienced Dental Hygienists in South Carolina often earn upwards of $45.59 an hour, or $94,830 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $97,220 a year. That leaves an entry-to-top spread of $31,520, a gap that typically reflects years on the job, the type of practice, and which city a hygienist works in.

South Carolina Dental Hygienist pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $57,270 in 2015 to $84,340 in 2025, according to government wage data. That's a gain of $27,070 over ten years. In percentage terms, pay rose 47% during that span.

That increase outpaces the national decade rise of 36% for the same occupation over the same years. Pay in South Carolina has grown faster than the national figure, even though the state's typical pay still sits below it. For someone starting a career in South Carolina now, the trend shows pay has moved up meaningfully in recent years, though it makes no promises about future gains.

Pay for Dental Hygienists varies by metro area within South Carolina; each city figure reflects that city's full metro area. Gastonia pays the most, with typical pay of $98,390 a year, about 17% above the state figure. Charleston and North Charleston follow at $94,570 a year. Port Royal, Hilton Head Island, and Bluffton pay $90,660 a year.

Richmond County pays the least among the state's metro areas, at $79,840 a year, a spread of $18,550 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Gastonia also has the largest Dental Hygienist workforce in the state, with 1,910 employed. Higher pay in cities like Gastonia and Charleston often comes with a higher cost of living, so a bigger paycheck doesn't always stretch as far.

South Carolina's Dental Hygienist pay trails both of its neighbors. North Carolina pays $97,850 a year, about 16% more than South Carolina, and Georgia pays $95,490 a year, about 13% more. Hygienists weighing a move across state lines should know that a dental hygiene license earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary by board.

Dental Hygienists in South Carolina typically earn $84,340 a year, pay that has risen 47% over the past decade but still runs below the national figure. Anyone considering the field should check South Carolina's dental hygiene licensing board for current requirements, and look at city-level pages for local pay figures, since wages vary meaningfully between places like Gastonia and Richmond County.