Dental Hygienist salary in Columbia, SC
Dental Hygienists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $82,370 a year ($39.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,250 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $84,340. There are 1.6 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,370, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| 25th percentile | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| Median | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| 75th percentile | $91,080 | $43.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,250 | $43.87 |
| Average (mean) | $80,370 | $38.64 |
Half of dental hygienists 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 | $6,864.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,432.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,168.08 |
| Weekly | $1,584.04 |
| Hourly | $39.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,390 | 1,910 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $94,570 | 540 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $90,660 | 160 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $85,290 | 600 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $83,780 | 170 |
| Florence, SC | $81,200 | 110 |
| Sumter, SC | $81,150 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $80,900 | 210 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $79,840 | 370 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,840 | $55.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,350 | $130.46 |
| Veterinarian | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Chiropractor | $74,090 | $35.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. 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 hygienist make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $82,370 a year, or $39.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $91,250 a year. The top 25% earn $91,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,030 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $77,400 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Columbia, SC?
About 620 dental hygienists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.