Dental Assistant Salary in Gresham, OR: $61,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Gresham, OR earns a median $61,568/year (≈ $29.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Gresham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $60,008 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Gresham, Oregon, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $61,568, significantly higher than the national median of $49,579. The compensation range for dental assistants in this market is broad, spanning from $45,631 at the lower end (P10) to $78,205 at the higher end (P90). These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, reflecting current compensation trends. The dynamics of the job market in Gresham reveal a split between those working in DSO chains with structured pay scales and those in solo practice settings that may offer more flexible earning potential, thus impacting overall job satisfaction and retention.
About the Gresham Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,631 | $21.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,568 | $29.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,707 | $35.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,205 | $37.59 |
Median Salary Position
24.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gresham
In Gresham, OR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,574 (2026 est.). At $61,568, the local median is 24.18% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gresham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gresham Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Gresham median: $61,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gresham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $60,184 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +24.18% more |
Dental Assistants in Gresham, OR earn a median of $61,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.18% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.30% above the Oregon state average of $60,184.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gresham has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gresham, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,568 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,008 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,772
2025 BLS Actual
$59,694
2026 Current Est.
$61,568
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Gresham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,138 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,009 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,658 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,794 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,491 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,694 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,502 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gresham metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $49,772 (2019) to $59,694 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,502 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,730 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gresham 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) | $45,631 – $55,070 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,070 – $61,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,568 – $73,707 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,707 – $78,205 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Gresham
The local job market for dental assistants appears robust, with 21 professionals currently employed in the area. Gresham's cost of living index stands at 102.6, suggesting that while earnings may be higher than in other regions, the relative purchasing power may not be as advantageous. Among various employers, DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen typically offer some of the highest salaries, especially for dental assistants with expanded function authority credentials, which can boost earnings by 25-40% depending on state recognition. Additional salary variability is driven by factors such as the type of dental specialty, the inclusion of treatment coordinator roles, and advancements in position, such as lead or mentor responsibilities. For dental assistants seeking to maximize their pay in Gresham, pursuing further certifications through DANB, gaining experience in specialized practices, and exploring options within DSO networks could be effective strategies to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Gresham, 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 $59,694 for dental assistantsin the Gresham 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 Gresham 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