Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Happy Valley, OR: $27.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Happy Valley, OR runs $27.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,224 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Happy Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,329 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Happy Valley, Oregon, dental assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $27.51, significantly higher than the national median of $23.84. This attractive hourly rate makes this profession appealing for part-time or per-diem workers, especially those who find themselves in various dental settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, or oral surgery procedure rooms. With an hourly range stretching from $22.06 for entry-level positions to $34.72 for top earners, dental assistants in the area are well-compensated for their vital role in patient care and dental procedures. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary projections, reflecting the upward trend in compensation within this essential field.
About the Happy Valley Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.06 | $176.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.59 | $204.71 |
| Median (P50) | $27.51 | $220.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.57 | $252.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.72 | $277.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Happy Valley
Based on $27.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.51/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Happy Valley, OR can expect to earn approximately $57,215 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,009. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Happy Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Happy Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,100.30 | $4,768 | $57,215 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $660.18 | $2,861 | $34,329 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $440.12 | $1,907 | $22,886 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Happy Valley) | $27.51 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Happy Valley, OR earn a median of $57,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.42% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 4.90% below the Oregon state average of $60,173.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.51/hr = $34,329/year (purchasing power: $33,459).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,215/year (purchasing power: $55,766).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Happy Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Happy Valley grew 19.9% from $22.24/hr (2019) to $26.67/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.37/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Happy Valley 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Happy Valley
When considering the financial landscape of dental assistants in Happy Valley, part-time opportunities stand out, especially for those working three days a week. For example, a 24-hour work schedule might yield an annual income noticeably lower than that of full-time equivalents, which can influence a dental assistant's choice of employment. Many per-diem dental assistants bill rates between $22 and $35, with those specializing in areas such as oral surgery or orthodontics earning up to $45 per hour. Hourly rates also vary significantly by employer type; large DSO chains often have structured pay scales that might offer lower hourly wages but include benefits like health insurance. This trade-off can be crucial for dental assistants weighing job stability against higher hourly pay without benefits. Negotiating can effectively raise pay, especially for those equipped with credentials such as DANB certification or expanded function authority, elevating their market value in a competitive field like dentistry.
More salary data for Happy Valley, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Happy Valley in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Happy Valley?
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Happy Valley. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Happy Valley 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