Launch your dental career with free online training. Oregon dental assistants earn $55,160+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$55,160/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
2,700+
Population 65+
18.6
Training Cost
FREE
Beaver State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 2,700+ dental practices and a population where 18.6 are over 65.
Oregon dental assistants earn $55,160 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $58,000 - $66,500.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Oregon.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Oregon requires dental assistants to hold a license from the Oregon Board of Dentistry. Licensure requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. Oregon offers Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials for additional clinical procedures through approved training and examination.
Oregon requires dental assistants to complete a Board-approved radiography course and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. Radiography certification is part of DA licensure requirements and must be renewed with continuing education.
Largest market, OHSU dental school
State capital, Willamette Valley
University of Oregon area
Central Oregon, fast-growing
Southern Oregon hub
Oregon offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 300+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 2730 SW Moody Ave, Portland, OR 97201
Oregon's only dental school with comprehensive clinical and research programs.
View Careers →Employees: 400+
Facilities: 20+ locations
Location: Multiple OR locations
National DSO with Oregon presence offering career development.
View Careers →Employees: 600+
Facilities: Multiple locations
Location: Throughout Oregon
Oregon-based dental organization with extensive statewide presence.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 8 locations
Location: Portland metro
Major community health center serving Oregon's Latino and immigrant populations.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: 4 locations
Location: Portland area
Community health center serving North Portland communities.
View Careers →Employees: 50+
Facilities: 2 locations
Location: Wheeler area
Community health center serving Oregon's rural coast.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: 8 locations
Location: Southern Oregon
Community health center serving Southern Oregon and Latino communities.
View Careers →Employees: 3,900+
Facilities: 2,250+ practices
Location: Statewide
Diverse private practices from Portland to rural Oregon.
View Careers →Sarah K.
Portland • OHSU Dental
"Working at Oregon's dental school means cutting-edge procedures and excellent research opportunities!"
2024-11
Michael T.
Bend • Private Practice
"Central Oregon growth means excellent opportunities. Mountain lifestyle is incredible!"
2024-10
Jennifer R.
Salem • Virginia Garcia
"Serving Latino communities in the Willamette Valley is meaningful work. Great organization!"
2024-09
Oregon dental assistants earn an average of $55,160 annually ($26.52/hour)—well above the national median. Entry-level positions start at $44,500-$50,000, while experienced DAs earn $58,000-$66,500. Portland metro pays highest at $52,000-$62,000. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Yes, Oregon requires dental assistants to hold a license from the Board of Dentistry. Licensure requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. EFDA credentials require additional training and examination for expanded functions.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. Oregon licensure requires proof of training plus radiography certification. The complete process typically takes 2-3 months from enrollment to employment.
Excellent outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Oregon's 4.2 million population, 2,700+ dental practices, and OHSU dental school create strong demand. Significant population growth, particularly in Bend, drives dental service expansion.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for Oregon licensure fee, radiography certification exam, and any optional certifications when ready. Many Oregon employers reimburse certification costs.
Portland metro leads with $52,000-$62,000 near OHSU dental school. Bend offers $50,000-$59,000 in fast-growing Central Oregon. Salem provides $48,000-$56,000 as state capital. Oregon has no sales tax, stretching purchasing power.
Oregon offers: (1) OHSU dental school creating academic employment, (2) No state sales tax improving purchasing power, (3) Strong community health center presence serving diverse populations, (4) Pacific Northwest lifestyle with outdoor recreation, (5) Progressive healthcare environment.
Oregon EFDAs can perform expanded functions including coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealants, and other procedures beyond basic DA scope. EFDA credentials require Board-approved training and examination, increasing employment value and earning potential.
Join thousands of Oregon residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredOregon's dental workforce serves approximately 4.2 million residents through an estimated 2,700+ dental practices. Portland metro dominates dental employment, with significant markets in Salem, Eugene, Bend, and Medford.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Oregon employed approximately 7,200 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $55,160—significantly above the national median, reflecting Oregon's competitive healthcare market.
Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry in Portland is the state's only dental school. OHSU trains approximately 75 dentists annually and operates extensive clinical programs creating academic employment opportunities for dental assistants.
Oregon's lack of sales tax effectively increases purchasing power for residents. Combined with competitive dental assistant wages, Oregon offers strong compensation despite higher-than-average cost of living in Portland metro.
Community health centers including Virginia Garcia and La Clinica serve Oregon's significant Latino and immigrant populations. These organizations provide mission-driven employment with potential loan repayment benefits and diverse clinical experiences.
Central Oregon (Bend, Redmond) represents one of Oregon's fastest-growing regions, attracting affluent residents and creating premium dental service demand. The outdoor recreation lifestyle attracts healthcare professionals seeking work-life balance.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.