Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Florence, SC: $40.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Florence, SC runs $40.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,211 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Florence's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.8, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,129 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The dental hygienist hourly pay in Florence, South Carolina is projected to be $40.97 in 2026, placing it notably below the national median of $49.49. This figure is significant for both part-time professionals and those considering per-diem positions, particularly in settings such as general dentistry operatories and public health clinics. Dental hygienists can expect an hourly range from $30.87 at the entry level to $46.87 for top earners in the area, highlighting the potential for variation based on experience and specific job settings. Understanding these figures is essential for professionals who may balance work between different types of dental practices or engage in contract work across the region.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.87 | $246.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.47 | $299.79 |
| Median (P50) | $40.97 | $327.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.98 | $335.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.87 | $374.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Florence
Based on $40.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.97/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Florence, SC can expect to earn approximately $85,215 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,162. With a cost-of-living index of 86.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Florence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Florence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,638.74 | $7,101 | $85,215 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $983.25 | $4,261 | $51,129 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $655.50 | $2,840 | $34,086 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Florence) | $40.97 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.97/hr = $51,129/year (purchasing power: $58,922).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,215/year (purchasing power: $98,203).
CoL index: 86.774 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$24.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.97/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+72.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Florence (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Florence grew 57.0% from $24.86/hr (2020) to $39.04/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.99/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Florence
For those choosing to work part-time, a typical 3-day workweek could yield around $63,000 annually, a competitive income in alignment with Florence's cost of living index of 86.774. Temp agencies in Florence may offer more attractive per diem dental hygienist pay, generally in the lower range of $40 to $60 per hour, depending on the demand and specific employer. The earnings for dental hygienists can vary considerably based on the type of practice: solo offices might pay less than larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which may offer more attractive compensation packages, including benefits like health insurance. Negotiating these rates can be critical, allowing dental hygienists the potential to boost their compensation by trading off higher hourly wages against comprehensive benefits packages. Understanding the dynamics at play in Florence’s dental market, as well as leveraging institutional affiliations like the ADHA and ADA, can be key for dental hygienists looking to optimize their pay structure.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Florence in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Florence?
Are dental hygienists in Florence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Florence?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Florence?
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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
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 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Florence. 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, 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