Dental Assistant salary in Salem, OR
Dental Assistants in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $59,210 a year ($28.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,750 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is about the same as the Oregon statewide median of $59,490. There are 3.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,080, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| 25th percentile | $57,810 | $27.79 |
| Median | $59,210 | $28.47 |
| 75th percentile | $62,190 | $29.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,750 | $34.49 |
| Average (mean) | $59,080 | $28.41 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,934.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,467.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,277.31 |
| Weekly | $1,138.65 |
| Hourly | $28.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,890 | 4,120 |
| Bend, OR | $59,590 | 420 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $58,500 | 470 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $58,180 | 90 |
| Medford, OR | $57,300 | 310 |
| Albany, OR | $57,180 | 130 |
| Corvallis, OR | $57,080 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $50,240 | $24.15 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,160 | $23.16 |
| Massage Therapist | $96,080 | $46.19 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $51,590 | $24.80 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,090 | $32.26 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Salem, OR?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Salem, OR metro area is $59,210 a year, or $28.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $71,750 a year. The top 25% earn $62,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,040 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $57,810 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Salem, OR?
About 570 dental assistants are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.