Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Sumter, SC: $22.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Sumter, SC runs $22.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,929 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Sumter's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,164 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sumter, South Carolina, the dental assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $22.57, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $23.84. This figure is significant for those considering part-time work, as a dental assistant working just three days a week can earn a substantial income while still having time for personal pursuits. Typical work environments for dental assistants in Sumter include general dentistry offices, pediatric dental clinics, and specialized surgical suites. The hourly range for dental assistants in this region varies from $18.11 for entry-level positions to up to $25.32 for top earners. This wage structure, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflects the competitive nature of dental health services in South Carolina.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.11 | $144.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.50 | $148.03 |
| Median (P50) | $22.57 | $180.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.13 | $185.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.32 | $202.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sumter
Based on $22.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.57/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sumter, SC can expect to earn approximately $46,939 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,080. With a cost-of-living index of 88.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sumter.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sumter
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $902.68 | $3,912 | $46,939 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $541.61 | $2,347 | $28,164 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $361.07 | $1,565 | $18,776 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Sumter) | $22.57 |
| 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 Sumter, SC earn a median of $46,929 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.35% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.80% below the South Carolina state average of $48,281.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.57/hr = $28,164/year (purchasing power: $31,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,939/year (purchasing power: $53,328).
CoL index: 88.02 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Sumter grew 23.8% from $17.67/hr (2019) to $21.88/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.28/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 Sumter 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 Sumter
Focusing on the financial realities for dental assistants, part-time professionals working an average of 24 hours per week can expect to take home approximately $28,332 annually, which highlights the attractiveness of flexible work options in this field. Per diem dental assistant pay in Sumter typically ranges from $22 to $35 per hour, with those specializing in areas such as oral surgery or orthodontics potentially earning between $28 and $45 per hour. The variation in hourly wages largely depends on the type of practice, as dental chains like Heartland or Aspen may offer standardized pay scales, while specialty offices may provide higher rates for skilled positions. Additionally, dental assistants must consider the trade-off between higher hourly wages and benefits, as some are willing to accept lower pay in exchange for health insurance and other perks. When negotiating, understanding the market trends and being aware of the competition within diverse employer types can significantly impact their earnings.
More salary data for Sumter, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Sumter. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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