Dental Assistant Salary in Florence, SC: $43,546 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Florence, SC earns a median $43,546/year (≈ $20.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Florence's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.8), that paycheck buys what $50,183 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Florence, SC can expect a median salary of $43,546, which is considerably below the national median of $49,579, highlighting some of the market nuances in this region. The salary range for these professionals spans from $32,912 at the 10th percentile to $55,654 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available within the local job market. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicating that individuals employed by larger dental support organizations (DSOs) may find themselves on a more standardized pay scale compared to those working in solo or small group practices who might offer greater flexibility but less predictable compensation. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for prospective and current dental assistants in Florence as they navigate their career paths.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,912 | $15.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,234 | $18.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,546 | $20.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,074 | $23.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,654 | $26.75 |
Median Salary Position
12.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,742 (2026 est.). At $43,546, the local median is 12.17% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Florence Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Florence median: $43,546/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $48,277 | -9.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -12.17% less |
Dental Assistants in Florence, SC earn a median of $43,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.17% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 9.80% below the South Carolina state average of $48,277.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 13.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, SC has a cost-of-living index of 86.774 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $43,546 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,183 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.24% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,050
2025 BLS Actual
$42,220
2026 Current Est.
$43,546
2019–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,546 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,913 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 11.0% from $38,050 (2019) to $42,220 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,913 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,863 (18.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $32,912 – $38,234 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,234 – $43,546 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,546 – $48,074 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,074 – $55,654 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Florence
In Florence, the dental assistant job market consists of around 240 professionals, and the local cost of living index stands at 86.774, suggesting that affordability in this area may enhance purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers like DSO chains, including Heartland and Aspen, often pay competitive salaries due to their structured compensation frameworks, while specialized offices such as orthodontics and oral surgery typically offer higher wages due to the advanced skills required. Factors driving salary disparities include the type of dental practice, the potential for expanded function authority (EFDA) in states that permit it, and roles that blend coordination with dental assisting. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Florence, pursuing EFDA certification where applicable or seeking out roles in high-demand specialties can significantly increase earning potential.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Florence, SC in 2026?
Is Florence, SC a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Florence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Florence?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Florence?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $42,220 for dental assistantsin the Florence metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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