How to Become a Dental Assistant in South Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Carolina employs about 5,530 dental assistants earning a median $47,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through SC Board of Dentistry.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in South Carolina

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
152.6$2,792 in-state / $8,936 out-of-state$48,44131%Yes*103 mi
251.3$5,071 in-state / $10,135 out-of-state$48,99128%Yes*111 mi
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350.6$4,546 in-state / $8,620 out-of-state$58,78330%Yes*69 mi
450.3$4,468 in-state / $8,836 out-of-state$46,00038%Yes*100 mi
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550.1$3,388 in-state / $5,956 out-of-state$40,63543%Yes*111 mi
648.4$5,174 in-state / $7,924 out-of-state$54,58834%Yes*64 mi
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745.4$4,282 in-state / $7,492 out-of-state$43,46931%Yes*78 mi
841.9$5,100 in-state / $14,700 out-of-state$46,83218%Yes*26 mi
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940.4$8,036 in-state / $13,340 out-of-state$47,73830%—84 mi
1035.7$4,636 in-state / $6,772 out-of-state$44,97834%—64 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

South Carolina employs approximately 5,530 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,320 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in South Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in South Carolina

How to become a Dental Assistant in South Carolina? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through SC Board of Dentistry.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and SC Board of Dentistry.

Do I need a license in South Carolina? Yes. South Carolina credentials this role through SC Board of Dentistry 3. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for dental assistants in South Carolina is $47,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,070 and experienced professionals can earn $58,480 or more 1.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in South Carolina

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most South Carolina dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with SC Board of Dentistry.
  2. Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in South Carolina. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with SC Board of Dentistry.
  4. Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in South Carolina

Dental assistants in South Carolina typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit SC Board of Dentistry requires. See SC Board of Dentistry 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet the program’s entry rules.

  2. Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.

  3. Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.

  4. Apply to SC Board of Dentistry when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with SC Board of Dentistry before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia3,540$50,060$51,800$39,010$59,820
Greenville-Anderson-Greer1,140$47,730$47,390$39,650$54,590
Charleston-North Charleston1,050$49,040$51,000$43,480$59,310
Columbia860$46,800$46,580$36,640$55,980
Augusta-Richmond County670$43,790$43,490$35,980$55,860
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach390$45,750$44,680$36,180$56,140
Spartanburg310$46,840$46,410$36,660$58,310
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal270$47,120$47,370$36,990$58,590
Florence240$42,220$42,170$31,910$53,960
Sumter120$45,500$43,100$36,520$51,060

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 5,530 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a dental assistant in South Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the SC Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Carolina.

How much do dental assistants earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in South Carolina is $47,320, which is $20 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.

In South Carolina

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. SC Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Dentistry ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)