Dental Assistant Salary in Woodburn, OR: $59,186 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Woodburn, OR earns a median $59,186/year (≈ $28.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Woodburn's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $57,686 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants in Woodburn, Oregon, is set at $59,186, significantly surpassing the national median of $49,579 by 19.38%. This notable pay difference can be attributed partly to Oregon’s expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) regulations, which empower dental assistants to perform a wider range of duties, leading to higher compensation across the board. Local salaries span a broad range, with the lowest earning approximately $46,283 (P10) and those at the top end making around $73,698 (P90). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing, reflecting the growing demand for skilled dental assistants in Woodburn’s job market.
About the Woodburn Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,283 | $22.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,355 | $26.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,186 | $28.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,484 | $33.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,698 | $35.43 |
Median Salary Position
19.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodburn
In Woodburn, OR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,415 (2026 est.). At $59,186, the local median is 19.38% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woodburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Woodburn Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Woodburn median: $59,186/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woodburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $60,148 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +19.38% more |
Dental Assistants in Woodburn, OR earn a median of $59,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.38% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.60% below the Oregon state average of $60,148.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woodburn has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woodburn, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,186 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,686 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,846
2025 BLS Actual
$57,384
2026 Current Est.
$59,186
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Woodburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,846 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,159 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,151 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,504 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,558 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,186 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,044 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woodburn metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $47,846 (2019) to $57,384 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,044 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,198 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodburn 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) | $46,283 – $54,355 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,355 – $59,186 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,186 – $70,484 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,484 – $73,698 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Woodburn
While there are only four dental assistants employed in Woodburn, the local job market remains competitive, driven partly by practices that offer higher salaries such as orthodontic and oral surgery offices. The cost of living index in Woodburn sits at 102.6, which translates to a slightly elevated living expense compared to the national average. To maximize earnings in this specific market, dental assistants can benefit from obtaining EFDA credentials where permissible, which can lead to pay increases of 25-40%. Moreover, dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen have introduced standardized pay scales that may affect future salary negotiations. Those seeking to enhance their positioning might also explore hybrid roles such as treatment coordinators or aim for stipends by taking on lead responsibilities, both of which can significantly increase dental assistant pay in Woodburn, OR.
More salary data for Woodburn, 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 $57,384 for dental assistantsin the Woodburn 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
Salary data for Woodburn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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