Dental Hygienist Salary in Summerville, SC: $85,358 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Summerville, SC earns a median $85,358/year (≈ $41.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Summerville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $93,287 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Summerville, South Carolina can expect a median annual salary of $85,358, positioning the region slightly below the national average of $102,946. The local salary range spans from $67,378 at the tenth percentile to $113,195 at the ninetieth percentile, reflecting significant variation in compensation based on experience, specific skills, and employment settings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, suggest that while Summerville's pay may lag behind national trends, the lower cost of living—evidenced by a cost of living index of 91.5—provides a favorable backdrop for those in the field. With only 12 dental hygienists employed in the area, job opportunities may be limited, yet the growing demand for dental services bodes well for future job stability.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($83,561) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,378 | $32.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,743 | $35.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,358 | $41.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,877 | $46.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,195 | $54.42 |
Median Salary Position
17.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summerville
In Summerville, SC, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,817 (2026 est.). At $85,358, the local median is 17.08% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summerville Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Summerville median: $85,358/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $87,189 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -17.08% less |
Dental Hygienists in Summerville, SC earn a median of $85,358 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.08% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $87,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summerville has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Summerville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $85,358 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,287 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$59,984
2025 BLS Actual
$81,340
2026 Current Est.
$85,358
2020–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Summerville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $59,984 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,185 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,012 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,983 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,157 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,358 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,575 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summerville metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 35.6% from $59,984 (2020) to $81,340 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,575 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,591 (49.33%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-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) | $67,378 – $73,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,743 – $85,358 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,358 – $96,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,877 – $113,195 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Summerville
Analyzing the local job market reveals a few key factors influencing dental hygienist pay in Summerville SC. Employers such as multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) typically offer higher salaries compared to solo practices, part of which can be attributed to the competitive hiring landscape that includes sign-on bonuses, especially for recent graduates. The spread in salaries is often influenced by elements such as production-based bonuses related to periodontal recall and recare retention programs. Additionally, work schedules can impact earnings; dental hygienists working four days a week might earn more per hour than those with five-day commitments due to increased patient load. To maximize earnings in Summerville, dental hygienists should consider seeking positions with DSOs that provide comprehensive benefits and incentivize productivity, as well as negotiate for perks that enhance overall compensation beyond base salary.
More salary data for Summerville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Summerville, SC in 2026?
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Summerville?
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Related Pages
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
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 $81,340 for dental hygienistsin the Summerville metropolitan area. A 4.94% 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
Salary data for Summerville 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 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov