Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Hilton Head Island, SC: $23.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Hilton Head Island, SC runs $23.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,600 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Hilton Head Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.0, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,168 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, dental assistants earn a median hourly rate of $23.37, slightly below the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate offers a substantial opportunity for part-time workers, particularly those seeking schedules of three days per week in various settings such as general dentistry, pediatric care, and oral surgery. With an hourly range from $18.34 at the entry-level to $29.05 for the highest earners, dental assistants can find roles in diverse environments. As precision crafting tools and technology advance, dental practices increasingly rely on the expertise of certified dental assistants, and these dynamics are reflected in the competitive hourly pay across the field, as detailed in the projected 2026 data based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.34 | $146.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.62 | $172.95 |
| Median (P50) | $23.37 | $186.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.99 | $207.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.05 | $232.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hilton Head Island
Based on $23.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.37/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hilton Head Island, SC can expect to earn approximately $48,613 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,046. With a cost-of-living index of 98.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hilton Head Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hilton Head Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $934.86 | $4,051 | $48,613 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $560.92 | $2,431 | $29,168 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $373.94 | $1,620 | $19,445 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Hilton Head Island) | $23.37 |
| 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 Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $48,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.60% above the South Carolina state average of $48,310.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.37/hr = $29,168/year (purchasing power: $29,758).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,613/year (purchasing power: $49,596).
CoL index: 98.017 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Hilton Head Island grew 22.9% from $18.44/hr (2019) to $22.66/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.11/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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island
When considering the financial outlook for part-time dental assistants, those working a typical 24-hour week might earn considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem dental assistants in Hilton Head Island typically bill between $22-$35 per hour, while those in specialties like oral surgery or orthodontics can command rates ranging from $28-$45 per hour. Due to the varying employer types, including solo practices and larger dental service organizations like Heartland and Aspen, hourly rates differ significantly. Some dental assistants may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for robust benefits, weighing the trade-offs between direct hourly compensation and the security of health insurance. Practicing effective salary negotiation is essential for dental assistants in Hilton Head Island, especially as they engage with growing dental chains and consider their paths through expanded function authority and potential shifts toward roles like registered dental hygienist.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Hilton Head Island in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Hilton Head Island?
Are dental assistants in Hilton Head Island paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Hilton Head Island?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Hilton Head Island?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 Hilton Head Island. 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