Do dental assistants need a license in Oregon?

Yes. Oregon requires state-level licensing or registration for dental assistants, administered by the Oregon Board of Dentistry. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Oregon (2026)

Q: How long does dental assistant training take in Oregon?

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Oregon through a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires.

Q: How much do dental assistants earn in Oregon?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Oregon earned a median annual wage of approximately $59,490. Employment concentration in Oregon is about 1.21 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Oregon?

Oregon currently employs approximately 5,930 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Oregon dental assistants earn a median annual wage of $59,490 ($28.60/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 5,930 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 23.8% above the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $59,490 ($28.60/hr)
25th percentile: $56,600 per year
75th percentile: $63,520 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $75,570 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $49,010 per year
Workers employed in Oregon: 5,930
Versus national median: 23.8% above the U.S. median of $48,070
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.21 - this occupation is more concentrated in Oregon than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Oregon employs about 5,930 dental assistants earning a median $59,490 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through Oregon Board of Dentistry.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Oregon

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Clark College	63.1	Contact school for pricing	$49,337	37%	Yes*	41 mi
2	Clackamas Community College	57.1	Contact school for pricing	$54,462	23%	Yes*	19 mi
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3	Umpqua Community College	50.6	Contact school for pricing	$46,257	Not reported	Yes*	135 mi
4	Chemeketa Community College	49.9	Contact school for pricing	$50,594	22%	Yes*	27 mi
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5	Mt Hood Community College	48.8	Contact school for pricing	$52,184	25%	Yes*	32 mi
6	Portland Community College	46.0	Contact school for pricing	$55,238	Not reported	Yes*	30 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Lane Community College	38.9	Contact school for pricing	$59,131	20%	Yes*	78 mi
8	Central Oregon Community College	30.0	Contact school for pricing	$50,974	25%	—	88 mi
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9	Linn-Benton Community College	28.6	Contact school for pricing	$48,548	27%	—	45 mi
10	Carrington College-Portland	27.9	Contact school for pricing	$39,064	Not reported	—	34 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Oregon employs approximately 5,930 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,490 ¹. The state’s concentration of dental assistant jobs is 1.21x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in Oregon, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: dental assisting program or on-the-job training where the state allows it (find programs)
Typical timeline: a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires
Licensing authority: Oregon Board of Dentistry
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (Oregon): $59,490 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Oregon

How to become a Dental Assistant in Oregon? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through Oregon Board of Dentistry.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Oregon Board of Dentistry.

Do I need a license in Oregon? Yes. Oregon credentials this role through Oregon Board of Dentistry ³. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Oregon is $59,490 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $49,010 and experienced professionals can earn $75,570 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Oregon

Meet basic requirements. Most Oregon dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Oregon Board of Dentistry.
Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in Oregon. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with Oregon Board of Dentistry.
Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Oregon

Dental assistants in Oregon typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Oregon Board of Dentistry requires. See Oregon Board of Dentistry ³.

Typical path

Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.
Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.
Apply to Oregon Board of Dentistry when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Oregon Board of Dentistry before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Oregon vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	4,120	$59,890	$60,700	$47,290	$76,040
Salem	570	$59,210	$59,080	$49,040	$71,750
Eugene-Springfield	470	$58,500	$57,540	$49,790	$70,710
Bend	420	$59,590	$58,970	$43,900	$73,030
Medford	310	$57,300	$55,950	$48,120	$61,640
Albany	130	$57,180	$56,340	$48,350	$62,340
Corvallis	100	$57,080	$56,280	$48,840	$60,430
Grants Pass	90	$58,180	$58,610	$49,330	$63,680

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 5,930 dental assistants ¹. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a dental assistant in Oregon with an out-of-state license? Contact the Oregon Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Oregon? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Oregon.

How much do dental assistants earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Oregon is $59,490, which is $12,190 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In Oregon

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Oregon Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: https://wcd.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)