Dental Assistant salary in Sumter, SC
Dental Assistants in the Sumter, SC metro area earn a median of $45,500 a year ($21.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,060 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 4% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $47,320. There are 3.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,100, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Sumter, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| 25th percentile | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| Median | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| 75th percentile | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,060 | $24.55 |
| Average (mean) | $43,100 | $20.72 |
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 | $3,791.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,895.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,750 |
| Weekly | $875 |
| Hourly | $21.88 |
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 |
| Columbia, SC | $46,800 | 860 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $45,750 | 390 |
| 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 Sumter, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $40,780 | $19.61 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,030 | $13.48 |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,860 | $17.24 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Sumter, 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 Sumter, SC?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Sumter, SC metro area is $45,500 a year, or $21.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Sumter, SC?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Sumter, SC metro area earn at least $51,060 a year. The top 25% earn $46,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Sumter, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,520 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $37,320 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Sumter, SC?
About 120 dental assistants are employed in the Sumter, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.