Dental Assistant Pay

Greenville vs Myrtle Beach: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Greenville, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenville, SC
$49,229
$23.67/hr
Myrtle Beach, SC
$47,187
$22.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenville, SCMyrtle Beach, SC
Median Salary$49,229$47,187
Hourly Rate$23.67$22.68
Entry Level (P10)$40,895$37,316
25th Percentile$46,609$39,379
75th Percentile$50,528$48,682
Top Earner (P90)$56,304$57,903
Total Employed1,140390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenville ($49,229) and Myrtle Beach ($47,187) dental assistant salaries.GreenvilleMyrtle BeachMedian Salary$49,229$47,187Entry Level (P10)$40,895$37,316Top Earner (P90)$56,304$57,903US Median $49,579

Verdict

Greenville, SC offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Myrtle Beach.

The salary gap between Greenville and Myrtle Beach is $2,042 (4.33%). Greenville's median is -0.71% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenville spans $15,409,Myrtle Beach spans $20,587. Myrtle Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Greenville
P10 (Entry)$40,895
P25$46,609
Median$49,229
P75$50,528
P90 (Top)$56,304
Myrtle Beach
P10 (Entry)$37,316
P25$39,379
Median$47,187
P75$48,682
P90 (Top)$57,903

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenville ($52,787 effective) pays 4.75% more than Myrtle Beach ($50,391 effective).

Greenville
Nominal: $49,229
CoL Index: 93.26
Adjusted: $52,787
Myrtle Beach
Nominal: $47,187
CoL Index: 93.642
Adjusted: $50,391

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenville if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,229/year)
  • Larger job market (1,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,787)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Myrtle Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($57,903)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Greenville grew 35.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.7% growth in Myrtle Beach over the same period.

Greenville, SC

+35.5%

$35,230 (2019) → $47,730 (2025)

Myrtle Beach, SC

+8.7%

$42,080 (2019) → $45,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Greenville or Myrtle Beach?

Greenville has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,229/year, compared to Myrtle Beach at $47,187/year — a difference of $2,042 (4.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenville and Myrtle Beach?

Greenville dental assistants earn $23.67/hr while Myrtle Beach hygienists earn $22.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenville to Myrtle Beach as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenville and Myrtle Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenville = $52,787, Myrtle Beach = $50,391), job availability (1,140 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Greenville vs Myrtle Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $40,895 in Greenville and $37,316 in Myrtle Beach. The Greenville area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov