Dental Assistant Salary in Milwaukie, OR: $55,302 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Milwaukie, OR earns a median $55,302/year (≈ $26.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Milwaukie's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $53,901 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Milwaukie, Oregon, can anticipate a median annual salary of $55,302, positioning them significantly above the national norm of $49,579 by about 11.54%. This salary for dental assistant positions reflects the impact of Oregon's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) rules, which permit DAs with specialized training to perform a wider range of tasks, thereby warranting higher pay than standard dental assistant rates. Salary estimates indicate a range from $45,853 at the 10th percentile to $68,121 at the 90th percentile, further highlighting the potential for advancement within the field. These figures are derived from state-level data and consider local economic conditions, indicating a robust market for dental assistant roles in Milwaukie.
About the Milwaukie Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,853 | $22.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,528 | $25.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,302 | $26.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,650 | $31.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,121 | $32.75 |
Median Salary Position
11.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukie
In Milwaukie, OR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,268 (2026 est.). At $55,302, the local median is 11.54% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukie Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Milwaukie median: $55,302/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $60,176 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +11.54% more |
Dental Assistants in Milwaukie, OR earn a median of $55,302 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.54% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 8.10% below the Oregon state average of $60,176.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukie has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukie, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,302 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,901 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,706
2025 BLS Actual
$53,618
2026 Current Est.
$55,302
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Milwaukie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,706 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,933 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,122 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,911 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,148 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,618 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,302 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,038 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukie metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $44,706 (2019) to $53,618 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,038 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,332 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukie 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) | $45,853 – $52,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,528 – $55,302 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,302 – $65,650 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,650 – $68,121 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Milwaukie
In this local job market, only six dental assistants are employed, which signals both a close-knit community and potentially limited entry points for new professionals. The cost of living index for Milwaukie stands at 102.6, meaning that while salaries may be higher than average, they are offset by increased living costs. Practices such as orthodontic and oral surgery offices tend to offer the highest pay among employers in Milwaukie, often leveraging higher reimbursement rates for specialized services. The variation in salaries from $22.04 to $32.75 per hour can be driven by factors including the assistant's EFDA credentials, the type of dental practice they work for, and any additional responsibilities as a treatment coordinator or mentor. To maximize earning potential, dental assistants in Milwaukie should consider pursuing EFDA certification and exploring opportunities within DSO chains that provide structured pay tiers and advancement pathways, which can lead to significant salary increases over time.
More salary data for Milwaukie, 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 $53,618 for dental assistantsin the Milwaukie 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 Milwaukie 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