Dental Assistant salary in Oregon
Dental Assistants in Oregon earn a median of $59,490 a year ($28.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,570 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $48,070. Oregon ranks 5th of 50 states for dental assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 3.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| 25th percentile | $56,600 | $27.21 |
| Median | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| 75th percentile | $63,520 | $30.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Average (mean) | $60,110 | $28.90 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,957.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,478.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,288.08 |
| Weekly | $1,144.04 |
| Hourly | $28.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,890 | 4,120 |
| Bend, OR | $59,590 | 420 |
| Salem, OR | $59,210 | 570 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $58,500 | 470 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $58,180 | 90 |
| Medford, OR | $57,300 | 310 |
| Albany, OR | $57,180 | 130 |
| Corvallis, OR | $57,080 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
Related jobs in Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Massage Therapist | $86,970 | $41.81 |
| Phlebotomist | $49,160 | $23.63 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,890 | $23.51 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,830 | $23.96 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,180 | $35.19 |
| Orderly | $45,120 | $21.69 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Oregon?
The median salary for dental assistants in Oregon is $59,490 a year, or $28.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Oregon?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Oregon earn at least $75,570 a year. The top 25% earn $63,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,010 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $56,600 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Oregon?
About 5,930 dental assistants are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.