Dental Assistant Salary in The Dalles, OR: $55,768 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in The Dalles, OR earns a median $55,768/year (≈ $26.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in The Dalles's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $54,355 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in The Dalles, Oregon, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,768, a figure that significantly outpaces the national median for the profession. With an annual salary range spanning from $47,022 at the 10th percentile to $69,593 at the 90th percentile, these estimates reflect local market conditions and cost-of-living adjustments. The higher compensation in The Dalles can be attributed in part to Oregon's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) regulations, allowing certified assistants to perform more advanced procedures, thus commanding higher wages. This dynamic results in a competitive pay structure within the region, influenced by the ability to take on expanded responsibilities in various dental practice settings.
About the The Dalles Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,022 | $22.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,540 | $25.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,768 | $26.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,759 | $32.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,593 | $33.46 |
Median Salary Position
12.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Dalles
In The Dalles, OR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,571 (2026 est.). At $55,768, the local median is 12.48% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Dalles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Dalles Dental Assistant Pay Compares
The Dalles median: $55,768/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Dalles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $60,159 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +12.48% more |
Dental Assistants in The Dalles, OR earn a median of $55,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.48% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 7.30% below the Oregon state average of $60,159.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Dalles has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
The Dalles, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,768 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,355 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,083
2025 BLS Actual
$54,070
2026 Current Est.
$55,768
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in The Dalles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,083 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,485 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,414 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,349 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,545 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,768 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,519 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Dalles metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $45,083 (2019) to $54,070 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,519 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,436 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Dalles 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) | $47,022 – $53,540 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,540 – $55,768 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,768 – $66,759 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,759 – $69,593 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in The Dalles
The local job market for dental assistants in The Dalles consists of a small but focused cohort, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 102.6, indicating that while salaries are competitive, living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, general dental practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen generally offer the most favorable pay; however, niche specialties in orthodontics or oral surgery tend to pay the highest salaries. The variation between lower and upper salary brackets can reflect factors such as the type of practice, additional EFDA credentials, and opportunities for hybrid roles like treatment coordinators. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in The Dalles, gaining EFDA certification and seeking roles in specialized practices can lead to more lucrative employment opportunities.
More salary data for The Dalles, 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 $54,070 for dental assistantsin the The Dalles 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 The Dalles 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