Dental Hygienist Salary in Florence, SC: $85,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Florence, SC earns a median $85,211/year (≈ $40.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Florence's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.8), that paycheck buys what $98,199 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Florence, South Carolina, the projected dental hygienist salary showcases a median annual income of $85,211 for 2026, reflecting a notable variation in real purchasing power compared to the national median of $102,946. The salary distribution ranges from approximately $64,223 at the 10th percentile to around $97,489 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates that while dental hygienists in Florence earn less than their counterparts nationally, the cost of living in the area is lower, with a cost-of-living index of 86.774. This adjustment in local living expenses presents an encouraging outlook for those considering a career in dental hygiene, as it may increase their effective earnings in the community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,223 | $30.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,949 | $37.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,211 | $40.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,489 | $46.87 |
Median Salary Position
17.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,266 (2026 est.). At $85,211, the local median is 17.23% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Florence median: $85,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $87,217 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -17.23% less |
Dental Hygienists in Florence, SC earn a median of $85,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.23% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.30% below the South Carolina state average of $87,217.
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 hygienist earning $85,211 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,199 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.24% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$51,700
2025 BLS Actual
$81,200
2026 Current Est.
$85,211
2020–2027 Growth
+73.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Florence (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $51,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,421 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 57.1% from $51,700 (2020) to $81,200 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,421 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,721 (72.96%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) 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 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) | $64,223 – $77,949 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,949 – $85,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,211 – $87,310 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,310 – $97,489 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Florence
As of the most recent data, there are 110 dental hygienists employed in Florence, creating a modest yet stable job market for practitioners in the field. The cost-of-living index of 86.774 suggests that salaries are complemented by a more affordable lifestyle, enhancing the purchasing power for workers in this profession. Among various employment settings, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental or Aspen may offer the highest salaries and benefits, often including attractive sign-on bonuses for new graduates. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to several factors, such as production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and differences in employment structures between private practices and DSOs. Strategies for maximizing pay in Florence include seeking opportunities in DSOs, negotiating flexible work schedules, and pursuing continuing education to enhance qualifications, ultimately positioning oneself favorably in the competitive market for dental hygienist pay in Florence, SC.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $81,200 for dental hygienistsin the Florence 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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 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