Dental Assistants Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $46,850 -1% vs national
Median hourly $22.52
10th percentile $39,280
90th percentile $58,620
Employed locally 1,100
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,280
    25th
    $40,550
    50th (median)
    $46,850
    75th
    $54,480
    90th
    $58,620

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 57% Median Dental Assistants salary is 43% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $65,360
    Minnesota $64,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $49,140
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $48,190
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $48,100
    Wisconsin $48,000
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $47,650

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $30,900
    Nursing Assistants $38,720
    Medical Assistants $40,830
    Orderlies $38,950
    Phlebotomists $39,740
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $36,720

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Charleston, SC is $22.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.51 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Charleston, SC is 1% below the national median of $47,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Assistants in Charleston?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $39,280 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,550.