Dental Assistant salary in Columbia, SC
Dental Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $46,800 a year ($22.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 860 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,980 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $47,320. There are 2.2 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,580, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| 25th percentile | $41,400 | $19.90 |
| Median | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 75th percentile | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,980 | $26.92 |
| Average (mean) | $46,580 | $22.40 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,900 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,950 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,800 |
| Weekly | $900 |
| Hourly | $22.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,060 | 3,540 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $49,040 | 1,050 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $47,730 | 1,140 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $47,120 | 270 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $46,840 | 310 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $45,750 | 390 |
| Sumter, SC | $45,500 | 120 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,790 | 670 |
| Florence, SC | $42,220 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,210 | $14.53 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area is $46,800 a year, or $22.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $55,980 a year. The top 25% earn $49,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,640 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $41,400 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Columbia, SC?
About 860 dental assistants are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.