Dental Assistant Salary in Longview, WA: $48,992 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Longview, WA earns a median $48,992/year (≈ $23.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Longview's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $50,225 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Longview, WA, can expect a median annual salary of $48,992, a figure that is slightly below the national median of $49,579. This competitive pay reflects the state's Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) rules, which often allow dental assistants to take on additional responsibilities, leading to higher compensation compared to those in less regulated states. The salary range for dental assistants in the area spans from $40,235 at the lower end (P10) to $63,575 for the top earners (P90), indicating a robust market for dental assistant salaries in Longview. This information is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, which showcases the local job landscape for this essential role in the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,235 | $19.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,661 | $22.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,992 | $23.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,162 | $28.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,575 | $30.57 |
Median Salary Position
1.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Longview
In Longview, WA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,340 (2026 est.). At $48,992, the local median is 1.18% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Longview: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Longview Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Longview median: $48,992/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Longview Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $51,086 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -1.18% less |
Dental Assistants in Longview, WA earn a median of $48,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.18% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.10% below the Washington state average of $51,086.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Longview has a cost of living 2.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Longview, WA has a cost-of-living index of 97.545 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,992 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,225 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,050
2025 BLS Actual
$47,500
2026 Current Est.
$48,992
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,992 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Longview metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 15.7% from $41,050 (2019) to $47,500 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,480 (23.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longview 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) | $40,235 – $47,661 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,661 – $48,992 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,992 – $60,162 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,162 – $63,575 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Longview
The Longview job market currently employs 190 dental assistants, reflecting a steady demand for skilled professionals in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 97.545, living expenses in Longview are slightly lower than the national average, which can enhance the effective purchasing power of dental assistants. Among the various employment settings, specialty practices such as oral surgery and orthodontics tend to offer higher salaries compared to general dentistry, while larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen have standardized pay scales that might influence overall compensation. Factors contributing to the salary range include the opportunity for EFDA certification, which can increase earning potential, as well as the various roles that dental assistants can take on, such as treatment coordinators or mentor positions. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing further certifications and seeking employment in specialty practices or DSOs could be advantageous for aspiring dental assistants in Longview.
More salary data for Longview, WA:
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 $47,500 for dental assistantsin the Longview 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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