Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Bluffton, SC: $22.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Bluffton, SC runs $22.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,676 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Bluffton's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,601 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants in Bluffton, South Carolina, earn a median hourly pay of $22.92, which is slightly below the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate not only reflects the value of their work in settings such as general dentistry operatories and orthodontic practices, but also impacts part-time and per-diem workers who may choose flexible hours based on this financial framework. With an hourly range from $18.57 at entry-level positions to $29.29 for experienced professionals, dental assistants in Bluffton can navigate their earnings over different workweek structures. Whether they are working only three days a week or taking shifts as per-diem staff, understanding the dynamics of their hourly compensation is crucial for financial planning.
About the Bluffton Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.57 | $148.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.53 | $172.20 |
| Median (P50) | $22.92 | $183.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.75 | $222.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.29 | $234.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bluffton
Based on $22.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.92/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bluffton, SC can expect to earn approximately $47,669 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,501. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bluffton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bluffton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $916.71 | $3,972 | $47,669 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $550.02 | $2,383 | $28,601 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $366.68 | $1,589 | $19,068 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Bluffton) | $22.92 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Bluffton, SC earn a median of $47,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.30% below the South Carolina state average of $48,304.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.92/hr = $28,601/year (purchasing power: $31,258).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,669/year (purchasing power: $52,097).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Bluffton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Bluffton grew 19.9% from $18.53/hr (2019) to $22.22/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.64/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bluffton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Bluffton
For those in part-time roles, like a dental assistant working 24 hours a week, the annual income can be quite different than that of a full-time colleague. Part-time workers who mega-bill in Bluffton can expect roughly $28,189 per year, while full-time employees might bring in much more without the flexibility that part-time schedules offer. As for per-diem opportunities, many dental assistants can earn between $22 and $35 per hour; specializing in oral surgery or orthodontics can push that up to $28-$45 per hour, connecting them with agencies that offer daily fill-in shifts. Dental practices, including group settings like Heartland and Aspen Dental, may offer varied pay scales influenced by the type of service provided. While some dental assistants might choose slightly lower pay for the stability of benefits, others may prefer the higher hourly pay that comes without health insurance. This trade-off can be critical when negotiating pay in Bluffton's market, where understanding employer-specific pay structures can also enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Bluffton, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Bluffton in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Bluffton?
Are dental assistants in Bluffton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Bluffton?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bluffton?
Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Bluffton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bluffton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov