Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Oregon
The median dental assistant earns $59,490 a year in Oregon ($28.60 an hour), with the middle half earning between $56,600 and $63,520.[1]
25th percentile
$56,600
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$59,490
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$63,520
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $59,490 per year or $28.60/hr at the median. Oregon runs about 24% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Oregon
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in Oregon earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Oregon hourly | Oregon annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23.56 | $49,010 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $27.21 | $56,600 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $28.60 | $59,490 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $30.54 | $63,520 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $36.33 | $75,570 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $28.90 | $60,110 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Oregon
5,930
3.01
1.21
How Oregon compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $59,490 in Oregon vs. $48,070 nationally, $11,420 (24%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $49,010 vs. $37,130, 32% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $75,570 vs. $62,250, 21% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 11.6% in Oregon vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Oregon
All 8 Oregon metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $59,890 | $57,570–$64,270 | 4,120 |
| Bend | $59,590 | $56,970–$62,390 | 420 |
| Salem | $59,210 | $57,810–$62,190 | 570 |
| Eugene-Springfield | $58,500 | $50,430–$60,910 | 470 |
| Grants Pass | $58,180 | $57,460–$62,400 | 90 |
| Medford | $57,300 | $49,450–$58,780 | 310 |
| Albany | $57,180 | $51,660–$59,430 | 130 |
| Corvallis | $57,080 | $50,940–$58,610 | 100 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Oregon
Oregon's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 11.6% over 2024–2034, from 5,520 to 6,170 jobs, with about 810 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in Oregon
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
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Browse open dental assistant roles in Oregon, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Assistant salary in Oregon: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Oregon?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Oregon was $59,490 ($28.60 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $56,600 and $63,520. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $49,010 and the top 10% earned over $75,570.
Do dental assistants in Oregon earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Oregon median of $59,490 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $11,420 (24%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Oregon metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 8 Oregon metro areas with published BLS data, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has the highest median at $59,890 a year. Corvallis has the lowest, at $57,080.
How many dental assistants work in Oregon?
BLS estimates 5,930 dental assistants were employed in Oregon in May 2025. That is 3.01 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.21, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Oregon?
Oregon's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 11.6% over 2024–2034, from 5,520 to 6,170 jobs. That works out to about 810 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Oregon?
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Other roles in Oregon
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Oregon long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants