How Much Do Dental Assistants Make in Oregon?
Oregon is one of the larger states in terms of land area, but its population of over four million people is sparsely spread. The number of people who call Oregon home is growing, and Oregon is considered one of the nation’s top moving destinations. As the population grows and ages, there’s an increasing need for qualified healthcare professionals including dental assistants.
Employment of dental assistants in Oregon is projected to grow approximately 15.2 percent between 2016 and 2026. There’s an average of 720 annual openings for dental assistants in this state.
The demand for dental services is expected to increase as the population ages and as research continues to link oral health to overall health.
In addition, advances in technology are expected to require more dental assistants in order to manage new equipment and materials. Dental assistants with formal education and certification will have the best job prospects in Oregon.
The Oregon Board of Dentistry licenses dentists in the state of Oregon. The board protects the public by ensuring that only qualified individuals are licensed to practice dentistry. The board also sets rules and regulations for dental practices in Oregon.
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) offers the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential. To earn the CDA credential, dental assistants must pass a written examination and a clinical examination. The DANB also offers the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) credential, which dental assistants can earn by passing a written examination.
Salaries for dental assistants in Oregon vary depending on experience, education, and geographical location.
The cost of living in Oregon is relatively high, so it isn’t surprising that dental assistants in this state usually earn more than the average amount paid to dental assistants across the United States.
| AreaName | Base Year | Employed | Projection Year | Projected Employment | Change | % Change | Projected Average Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2018 | 346,000 | 2026 | 384,700 | 38,700 | 19.5% | 44,800 |
| Oregon | 2016 | 5,450 | 2026 | 6,280 | 830 | 15.2% | 720 |
| State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
| Oregon | 4,890 | $22.57 | $46,940 | $34,910 | $40,850 | $46,930 | $53,060 | $60,910 |
The largest number of dental assisting jobs can usually be found in the Portland and Hillsboro areas. The places where the highest salaries in this field tend to be earned are in the Portland, Hillsboro and Bend-Redmond areas. Lower salaries for dental assistants in Oregon tend to be paid in the Medford and Grants Pass areas.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 110 | $22.91 | $47,650 | $37,110 | $41,660 | $47,110 | $54,370 | $61,550 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 370 | $23.51 | $48,890 | $38,780 | $43,150 | $48,820 | $55,510 | $61,270 |
| Corvallis, OR | 90 | $21.40 | $44,520 | $35,480 | $40,670 | $45,470 | $49,710 | $52,760 |
| Eugene, OR | 460 | $21.37 | $44,450 | $35,990 | $39,700 | $43,790 | $49,150 | $53,950 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 120 | $20.11 | $41,830 | $30,360 | $35,260 | $40,470 | $48,680 | $57,470 |
| Medford, OR | 290 | $19.72 | $41,010 | $32,490 | $35,760 | $41,010 | $47,170 | $51,140 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 2960 | $23.73 | $49,370 | $37,230 | $43,210 | $48,970 | $56,400 | $63,020 |
| Salem, OR | 610 | $21.20 | $44,090 | $34,100 | $38,660 | $44,520 | $49,730 | $53,890 |
Working in the healthcare field can be rewarding and well-compensated. Dental assistants tend to earn more than several occupations with similar roles including medical assistants, nursing assistants and pharmacy technicians. Physical therapist assistants in Oregon tend to earn more than dental assistants.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 4900 | $20.27 | $42,160 | $32,220 | $36,170 | $42,580 | $48,190 | $52,250 |
| Nursing Assistants | 12260 | $16.72 | $34,780 | $25,760 | $29,030 | $34,190 | $39,670 | $46,570 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 810 | $28.80 | $59,910 | $36,300 | $54,070 | $60,920 | $69,940 | $80,160 |
| Dental Assistants | 4890 | $22.57 | $46,940 | $34,910 | $40,850 | $46,930 | $53,060 | $60,910 |
| Medical Assistants | 13340 | $19.13 | $39,790 | $28,800 | $34,110 | $39,570 | $46,350 | $51,010 |