How to Become A Dental Assistant in Oregon
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 certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Oregon
How do I become a dental assistant in Oregon? Oregon requires credentials such as Dental Assistant Certification, Dental Specialist, Dental Hygienist. The licensing authority is the Oregon Board of Dentistry 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Oregon? Yes. Oregon has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Oregon Board of Dentistry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Oregon Board of Dentistry
- Median wage (Oregon): $59,490 per year 1
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Oregon
The Oregon Board of Dentistry oversees dental assistant licensing in Oregon 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant Certification | In Oregon, Dental Assistants are not licensed but must be certified in order to take x-rays or to perform certain Expanded Functions. |
| Dental Specialist | Dental Specialists include the following dental specialties: Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Paathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics and Dentofac… |
| Dental Hygienist | Dental Hygienists perform dental prophylactic treatments and instruct groups and individuals in the care of the teeth and mouth. |
| Dental Hygienist, Limited Access Permit | The holder of this permit can practice dental hygiene services, without the supervision of a dentist, on limited access patients. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Oregon
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Oregon according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 4,120 | $59,890 |
| Salem | 570 | $59,210 |
| Eugene-Springfield | 470 | $58,500 |
| Bend | 420 | $59,590 |
| Medford | 310 | $57,300 |
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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 apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.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) |