Dental Assistant Salary in Portland, OR: $61,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Portland, OR earns a median $61,771/year (≈ $29.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $58,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $61,771 in 2026, dental assistants in Portland, Oregon, earn notably more than their counterparts nationwide, where the median sits at $49,579. The salary range for this role in Portland varies from a lower tier at $48,775 (P10) to an upper tier offering as much as $78,428 (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, reflects the ongoing evolution in dental assistant pay structures. Part of this trend can be attributed to the growth of Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) within the city, which standardize pay across their chains, contrasting with the more flexible pay scales found in solo practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,775 | $23.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,378 | $28.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,771 | $29.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,288 | $31.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,428 | $37.71 |
Median Salary Position
24.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,653 (2026 est.). At $61,771, the local median is 24.59% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Portland median: $61,771/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $60,147 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +24.59% more |
Dental Assistants in Portland, OR earn a median of $61,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.59% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.70% above the Oregon state average of $60,147.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,771 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,595 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,970
2025 BLS Actual
$59,890
2026 Current Est.
$61,771
2019–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,710 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 22.3% from $48,970 (2019) to $59,890 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,710 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,740 (30.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $48,775 – $59,378 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,378 – $61,771 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,771 – $66,288 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,288 – $78,428 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Portland
In Portland, the job market for dental assistants is strong, with approximately 4,120 individuals currently employed in this field. However, the cost of living index stands at 105.421, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than national averages, they also need to be weighed against living expenses. Employers range from general dental practices, such as solo and group practices, to larger DSOs like Heartland and Aspen, with specialty offices in orthodontics and oral surgery also paying significantly more. The disparity in wages can be influenced by various factors, including the specific dental specialties, the expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credential when permitted, and overlap roles such as treatment coordinators. Those seeking to maximize their pay in Portland should consider pursuing advanced certifications like those from DANB and ADAA, as well as exploring positions in high-paying specialty practices or mentoring roles within their organizations.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $59,890 for dental assistantsin the Portland 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