Dental Assistant Salary in Hilton Head Island, SC: $48,600 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Hilton Head Island, SC earns a median $48,600/year (≈ $23.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Hilton Head Island's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.0), that paycheck buys what $49,583 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Hilton Head Island, SC, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $48,600, a figure that corresponds closely to state averages but lags slightly behind the national median of $49,579. With a salary range from $38,151 at the 10th percentile to $60,430 at the 90th percentile, the compensation landscape reflects the influence of expanded function roles in the area. Certified dental assistants with EFDA credentials can typically command higher wages than those operating under general DA functions. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data collected provide a reliable foundation for understanding how dental assistant pay in Hilton Head Island compares within both state and national contexts, indicating a healthy job market for aspiring and current professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,151 | $18.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,959 | $21.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,066 | $25.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,430 | $29.05 |
Median Salary Position
1.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilton Head Island
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,279 (2026 est.). At $48,600, the local median is 1.97% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilton Head Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilton Head Island Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Hilton Head Island median: $48,600/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilton Head Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $48,310 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -1.97% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilton Head Island has a cost of living 1.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilton Head Island, SC has a cost-of-living index of 98.017 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,600 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,583 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,360
2025 BLS Actual
$47,120
2026 Current Est.
$48,600
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,600 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,126 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilton Head Island metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 22.8% from $38,360 (2019) to $47,120 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,126 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,766 (30.67%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,151 – $44,959 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,959 – $48,600 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,600 – $54,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,066 – $60,430 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Hilton Head Island
The local dental job market employs around 270 dental assistants, demonstrating a stable demand for these professionals in Hilton Head Island. With a cost of living index of 98.017, the purchasing power for dental assistants in this coastal region remains favorable relative to national standards. Notably, specialty dental practices and those within DSO chains such as Heartland or Aspen often offer the highest compensation, especially for those who hold EFDA credentials or take on hybrid roles like treatment coordinators. The disparity between low and high pay can be attributed to the differing specializations, as oral surgery and orthodontics tend to provide the highest salaries, while general practices may offer less. For those looking to maximize their earnings, gaining additional certifications and seeking positions within high-paying specialties or DSO chains can significantly enhance their overall compensation in the Hilton Head Island dental market.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $47,120 for dental assistantsin the Hilton Head Island 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