How much does a dental assistant make in Columbia?
$46,800a year
Median yearly pay for dental assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $22.50 an hour or $3,900 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.50
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 205 of 388
- Jobs in the area
- 860
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,640Median: $46,800Highest 10%: $55,980
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,640 | $17.62 | |
| 25th | $41,400 | $19.90 | |
| Median | $46,800 | $22.50 | |
| 75th | $49,420 | $23.76 | |
| 90th | $55,980 | $26.91 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for dental assistants.
| Charlotte, NC | $50,060 |
| Charleston, SC | $49,040 |
| Greenville, SC | $47,730 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $47,120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $46,840 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $45,750 |
| Sumter, SC | $45,500 |
| Augusta, GA | $43,790 |
| Florence, SC | $42,220 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,330 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,920 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,310 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $49,730 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,180 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,680 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,210 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $36,680 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $22.50 ($46,800 a year).
Do dental assistants make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $46,800 against $48,070 nationally, 3% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $47,320, so Columbia pays 1% less.
Where does Columbia rank for dental assistant pay?
205 of 388 metro areas with data.
How much does a dental assistant make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,640 or less a year; the top 10% make $55,980 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.