Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Myrtle Beach, SC: $40.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Myrtle Beach, SC runs $40.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,896 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Myrtle Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,945 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Myrtle Beach, the dental hygienist hourly pay is positioned at a median rate of $40.82, which reflects a variance when compared to the national hourly median of $49.49. This figure indicates that professionals in the area may earn slightly less than their counterparts nationwide, suggesting that those who choose to work part-time—perhaps three days a week—could see a notable impact on their overall income. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Myrtle Beach typically ranges from $30.35 to $46.13 an hour, offering flexibility for those looking to work in diverse environments like general dentistry offices, public health clinics, or specialty practices. The demand for dental hygiene services in this tourist-heavy locale provides opportunities for both entry-level dental hygienists and experienced professionals, with the hourly range reflecting the varying skill levels and types of practices within the region.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.35 | $242.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.94 | $303.49 |
| Median (P50) | $40.82 | $326.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.21 | $337.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.13 | $369.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Myrtle Beach
Based on $40.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.82/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Myrtle Beach, SC can expect to earn approximately $84,909 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,986. With a cost-of-living index of 93.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Myrtle Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Myrtle Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,632.87 | $7,076 | $84,909 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $979.72 | $4,245 | $50,945 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $653.15 | $2,830 | $33,964 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Myrtle Beach) | $40.82 |
| 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 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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.82/hr = $50,945/year (purchasing power: $54,404).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,909/year (purchasing power: $90,674).
CoL index: 93.642 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$31.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.82/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+38.0%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $31.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Myrtle Beach grew 25.3% from $31.04/hr (2020) to $38.90/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.84/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Myrtle Beach
In considering the potential earnings as a part-time dental hygienist in Myrtle Beach, a professional working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $50,078 annually. This amount reflects a substantial earning potential, even when working fewer days per week compared to full-time counterparts. For those interested in taking on per diem or agency positions, it’s worth noting that the pay can vary significantly, with typical rates hovering between $40 to $60 per hour for temporary work, while larger cities might push rates even higher. Hourly compensation can also fluctuate depending on the employer type; dental service organizations (DSOs) often offer competitive pay but may come with less flexibility compared to solo practices or group clinics. Additionally, dental hygienists in Myrtle Beach sometimes face trade-offs when it comes to hourly rates, as those accepting lower fees may also secure health benefits, while higher hourly positions may leave them without those perks. Strong negotiation skills and an understanding of local market conditions will aid hygienists in maximizing their earning capacity within this vibrant SC community.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Myrtle Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Myrtle Beach?
Are dental hygienists in Myrtle Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Myrtle Beach?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Myrtle Beach?
Related Pages
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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 Myrtle Beach. 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