Dental Assistants Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $58,380 +23.4% vs national
Median hourly $28.07
10th percentile $46,440
90th percentile $74,860
Employed locally 3,720
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,440
    25th
    $54,010
    50th (median)
    $58,380
    75th
    $61,110
    90th
    $74,860

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 62% Median Dental Assistants salary is 38% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $65,360
    Minnesota $64,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,330
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,080
    Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $59,670
    Portland-South Portland, ME $59,440
    West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $58,550
    Oregon $57,720

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $44,320
    Nursing Assistants $48,520
    Medical Assistants $52,040
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $44,190
    Massage Therapists $81,580
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $47,460

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Portland?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Portland, OR-WA is $28.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.56 or more per hour.

    Is Portland above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Portland, OR-WA is 23.4% above the national median of $47,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Assistants in Portland?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $46,440 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $54,010.