Dental Assistants Salary in Salem, OR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salem, OR

Median annual salary $56,470 +19.4% vs national
Median hourly $27.15
10th percentile $48,170
90th percentile $68,680
Employed locally 560
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Salem, OR
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,170
    25th
    $51,060
    50th (median)
    $56,470
    75th
    $58,490
    90th
    $68,680

    Salem economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 74% Median Dental Assistants salary is 26% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $58,380

    Related occupations in Salem, OR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $40,520
    Nursing Assistants $48,280
    Medical Assistants $48,720
    Psychiatric Aides $46,040
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $49,080
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $40,500

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Salem?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Salem, OR is $27.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.49 or more per hour.

    Is Salem above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Salem, OR is 19.4% 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 Salem?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $48,170 per year in Salem, OR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,060.