Dentists, General salary in Columbia, SC
Dentists, General in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $228,820 a year ($110.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $310,840 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $170,950. Pay here is 44% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $158,640. There are 1.2 dentists, general per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $236,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dentists, general in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,860 | $50.41 |
| 25th percentile | $158,650 | $76.27 |
| Median | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| 75th percentile | $310,840 | $149.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $310,840 | $149.44 |
| Average (mean) | $236,230 | $113.57 |
Half of dentists, general 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 | $19,068.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,534.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,800.77 |
| Weekly | $4,400.38 |
| Hourly | $110.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dentists, General salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $189,220 | 1,140 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $153,510 | 160 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $144,640 | 50 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $140,360 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $139,940 | 540 |
| Florence, SC | $137,260 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $134,420 | 130 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $121,090 | 410 |
Highest-paying states for dentists, general
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 |
| Oregon | $211,690 |
| Maine | $209,200 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 |
| Georgia | $206,760 |
| Missouri | $204,960 |
| Vermont | $204,960 |
See Dentists, General 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 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| 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 29-1021. 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 dentists, general make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for dentists, general in the Columbia, SC metro area is $228,820 a year, or $110.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $310,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dentists, general make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of dentists, general in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $310,840 a year. The top 25% earn $310,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for dentists, general in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,860 a year, and a quarter of dentists, general earn $158,650 or less.
How many dentists, general work in Columbia, SC?
About 480 dentists, general are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.