Dental Assistant Salary in Lake Oswego, OR: $58,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Lake Oswego, OR earns a median $58,901/year (≈ $28.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Lake Oswego's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $57,408 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual dental assistant salary in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is currently estimated at $58,901 for 2026, a figure that exceeds the national median by 18.80%. This reflects not only the demand for skilled dental assistants but also the impact of Oregon's EFDA expanded function rules, which allow dental assistants to perform additional procedures—resulting in higher compensation compared to general dental assistant rates. Salaries within this market range from $45,586 at the 10th percentile to $72,932 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant opportunities for differentiation based on experience, specialization, and additional credentials. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, providing an insightful snapshot of what to expect when pursuing a career in this field in Lake Oswego.
About the Lake Oswego Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,586 | $21.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,743 | $25.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,901 | $28.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,716 | $33.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,932 | $35.07 |
Median Salary Position
18.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Oswego
In Lake Oswego, OR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,346 (2026 est.). At $58,901, the local median is 18.8% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Oswego Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Lake Oswego median: $58,901/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $60,165 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +18.80% more |
Dental Assistants in Lake Oswego, OR earn a median of $58,901 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.80% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.10% below the Oregon state average of $60,165.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Oswego has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Oswego, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,901 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,408 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,616
2025 BLS Actual
$57,108
2026 Current Est.
$58,901
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Lake Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,616 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,923 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,929 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,247 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,217 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,108 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,751 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Oswego metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $47,616 (2019) to $57,108 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,751 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,135 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Oswego 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) | $45,586 – $53,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,743 – $58,901 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,901 – $69,716 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,716 – $72,932 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Lake Oswego
In Lake Oswego, there are only eight dental assistants currently employed, a limited number that highlights the competitive nature of the job market. The local cost of living index sits at 102.6, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than the national average, purchasing power can be influenced by housing and day-to-day expenses. Among the various practice types, specialty offices such as orthodontics and oral surgery tend to offer the highest pay, especially for those with EFDA credentials or those who take on hybrid roles such as treatment coordinator. The pay scale can also differ significantly between DSO chains like Heartland or Aspen, which may standardize compensation across locations versus independent practices that may offer greater variability based on demand and individual performance. To maximize earning potential in this market, dental assistants should gain specialized training, consider obtaining their EFDA certification, and actively seek roles in practices known for higher compensation packages.
More salary data for Lake Oswego, 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 $57,108 for dental assistantsin the Lake Oswego 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 Lake Oswego 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