Dental Assistant Salary in Grants Pass, OR: $60,007 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Grants Pass, OR earns a median $60,007/year (≈ $28.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Grants Pass's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.8), that paycheck buys what $61,382 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Grants Pass, Oregon can expect a median annual salary of $60,007, which reflects a significant local advantage over the national median of $49,579, representing a 21.03% increase. Salaries for dental assistants in this region range from $50,879 at the 10th percentile to $65,680 at the 90th percentile, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This upward trend in compensation can be attributed to the competitive nature of the job market, especially as dental service organization (DSO) chains establish standardized pay scales. The interplay between these larger organizations and smaller, solo dental practices creates varied compensation structures, making Grants Pass an interesting location for those considering a career as a dental assistant.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,879 | $24.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,264 | $28.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,007 | $28.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,359 | $30.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,680 | $31.58 |
Median Salary Position
21.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grants Pass
In Grants Pass, OR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,801 (2026 est.). At $60,007, the local median is 21.03% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grants Pass: You'd be above the median
How Grants Pass Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Grants Pass median: $60,007/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grants Pass Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $60,187 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +21.03% more |
Dental Assistants in Grants Pass, OR earn a median of $60,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.03% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 0.30% below the Oregon state average of $60,187.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grants Pass has a cost of living 2.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grants Pass, OR has a cost-of-living index of 97.76 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $60,007 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,382 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,470
2025 BLS Actual
$58,180
2026 Current Est.
$60,007
2019–2027 Growth
+52.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Grants Pass (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,007 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,891 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grants Pass metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 43.8% from $40,470 (2019) to $58,180 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,421 (52.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grants Pass 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 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-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) | $50,879 – $59,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,264 – $60,007 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,007 – $64,359 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,359 – $65,680 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Grants Pass
When analyzing the local employment landscape, about 90 dental assistants are currently employed in Grants Pass, yielding a steady job market buoyed by a cost-of-living index of 97.76, which suggests favorable purchasing power for residents. Among local employers, general dental practices and pediatric offices may offer different salary potentials, but those affiliated with DSO chains like Heartland and Pacific Dental are often able to provide higher wages due to their larger operational scope and resources. The variation between salaries can also relate to specialty areas—oral surgery and orthodontics tend to pay more than general dentistry—as well as additional qualifications such as expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) certification or roles that integrate treatment coordination. For aspiring dental assistants aiming to maximize their pay in Grants Pass, pursuing credentialing through organizations like DANB and leveraging the transition opportunities to roles like registered dental hygienist (RDH) can enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Grants Pass, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
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 $58,180 for dental assistantsin the Grants Pass metropolitan area. A 3.14% 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, 7-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 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov