Dental Hygienist Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $84,896 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Myrtle Beach, SC earns a median $84,896/year (≈ $40.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Myrtle Beach's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $90,660 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $84,896, significantly below the national average of $102,946. Local employment for dental hygienists is relatively stable, with about 210 professionals working in the area, suggesting a market that is neither oversaturated nor rapidly expanding. The local salary range is broad, with the lowest earners making approximately $63,121 and top earners reaching $95,957. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, providing a reliable overview of dental hygienist pay in Myrtle Beach. Despite the competitive salaries offered, the job market is influenced by factors such as local demand and the presence of various practice types, including solo offices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) which are increasingly shaping employment conditions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,121 | $30.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,904 | $37.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,896 | $40.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,793 | $42.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,957 | $46.13 |
Median Salary Position
17.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, SC, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,836 (2026 est.). At $84,896, the local median is 17.53% below the national median of $102,946.
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How Myrtle Beach Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Myrtle Beach median: $84,896/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Myrtle Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $87,163 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -17.53% less |
Dental Hygienists in Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $84,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.53% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.60% below the South Carolina state average of $87,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Myrtle Beach has a cost of living 6.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Myrtle Beach, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.642 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $84,896 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,660 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.79% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$64,570
2025 BLS Actual
$80,900
2026 Current Est.
$84,896
2020–2027 Growth
+38.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Myrtle Beach (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $64,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,896 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,090 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.3% from $64,570 (2020) to $80,900 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,520 (37.97%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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) | $63,121 – $78,904 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,904 – $84,896 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,896 – $87,793 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,793 – $95,957 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Myrtle Beach
With a cost-of-living index of 93.642, Myrtle Beach offers a favorable environment for dental hygienists, making the purchasing power of their salaries relatively robust. The 210 professionals working in this region indicate adequate job availability, but variances in pay highlight critical factors affecting earnings. Among the highest employers are DSOs, which often offer full benefits and competitive sign-on bonuses that may appeal to new graduates. Additionally, income variations are influenced by production-based bonuses related to periodontal care and the frequency of dental hygiene schedules, such as the choice between a four-day and five-day work week. Those seeking to enhance their pay in Myrtle Beach should consider aligning with DSOs for better compensation packages or exploring roles in pediatric and periodontal practices, where the demands are often higher and pay more competitive. This strategic approach can enhance both earnings potential and job satisfaction in the vibrant Myrtle Beach SC dental market.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, 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 $80,900 for dental hygienistsin the Myrtle Beach 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