Dental Assistants Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $45,610 -3.6% vs national
Median hourly $21.93
10th percentile $37,140
90th percentile $57,980
Employed locally 770
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,140
    25th
    $38,840
    50th (median)
    $45,610
    75th
    $48,170
    90th
    $57,980

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 69% Median Dental Assistants salary is 31% 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 Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$29,320
    Nursing Assistants$36,410
    Medical Assistants$38,230
    Phlebotomists$38,480
    Orderlies$36,370
    Physical Therapist Assistants$65,440

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Columbia, SC is $21.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.92 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Columbia, SC is 3.6% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $37,140 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,840.