Dental Assistant Salary in Coos Bay, OR: $56,921 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Coos Bay, OR earns a median $56,921/year (≈ $27.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Coos Bay's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $55,479 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistant salaries in Coos Bay, Oregon, are projected to reach a median annual salary of $56,921, reflecting the area's growing demand for skilled professionals in dentistry. With a salary range from $45,188 at the lower end to $71,400 at the upper end, Coos Bay's compensation for dental assistants not only surpasses the national median of $49,579 by 14.81% but also aligns with the state's EFDA expanded function regulations, which often allow dental assistants to perform advanced procedures, thereby justifying higher wages. These earnings are informed by estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities, indicating that there is a strong market for dental support roles, especially in specialized practices.
About the Coos Bay Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,188 | $21.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,799 | $26.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,921 | $27.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,239 | $32.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,400 | $34.32 |
Median Salary Position
14.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coos Bay
In Coos Bay, OR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,212 (2026 est.). At $56,921, the local median is 14.81% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coos Bay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coos Bay Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Coos Bay median: $56,921/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coos Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $60,170 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +14.81% more |
Dental Assistants in Coos Bay, OR earn a median of $56,921 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.81% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 5.40% below the Oregon state average of $60,170.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coos Bay has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Coos Bay, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,921 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,479 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,015
2025 BLS Actual
$55,188
2026 Current Est.
$56,921
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Coos Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,015 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,278 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,385 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,457 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,431 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,529 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,188 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,921 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,708 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coos Bay metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $46,015 (2019) to $55,188 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,708 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,693 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coos Bay 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) | $45,188 – $54,799 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,799 – $56,921 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,921 – $68,239 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,239 – $71,400 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Coos Bay
The local job market exhibits a strong presence of dental assistants, with four individuals currently filling this role in Coos Bay. However, the cost of living index stands at 102.6, suggesting that while salaries may be competitive, housing and everyday expenses are slightly above the national average. Among employers, general dental practices and the expanding DSO chains like Heartland and Pacific Dental tend to offer the highest compensation, often influenced by the specific needs of the practice, such as specialty roles in orthodontics or oral surgery. Variable pay levels can also be attributed to whether dental assistants possess EFDA credentials, which can increase earnings by as much as 40%, or if they take on hybrid roles such as treatment coordinators. For those in the area looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing EFDA certification or gaining experience in specialty practices can provide a significant advantage.
More salary data for Coos Bay, 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 $55,188 for dental assistantsin the Coos Bay 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 Coos Bay 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