Dental Hygienist Salary in Oregon: $125,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $125,281/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $122,106 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hillsboro ($125,902), Portland ($123,100), Bend ($119,650).
The dental hygienist salary landscape in Oregon for 2026 shows a significant advantage over the national median. The average median salary for dental hygienists in Oregon is projected at $125,282, which is 21.7% higher than the national median of $102,946. The highest paying city in the state is Hillsboro, offering an average salary of $132,122, while Springfield presents the lowest average at $110,421, resulting in a salary gap of $21,701 between these cities. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for dental services, and local economic conditions. Oregon's dental hygienists are required to meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to comprehensive scope of practice laws, which can affect earning potential. The job market for dental hygienists in Oregon is projected to exhibit a growth rate of 4.94% annually, indicating a strong demand for these professionals in various regions. Major cities contributing to this job market include Portland with an average salary of $129,181, Bend at $125,561, Salem at $124,931, and Gresham at $123,837. The overall trend suggests a healthy outlook for dental hygienists in Oregon, driven by increasing awareness of oral health and an aging population requiring dental care.
Oregon Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oregon: $86,822 (lowest entry-level) to $169,074 (highest top earner)
Oregon vs National Average
Oregon dental hygienists earn 21.70% more than the national median (+$22,335/year difference).
Oregon Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Oregon range from $110,450 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $146,520 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $125,281. The Oregon median is $22,335 above the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $60.23/hr. Approximately 3,874 dental hygienists are employed across 36 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$87,339
2025 BLS Actual
$119,384
2026 Current Est.
$125,281
2020–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Oregon (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $87,339 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,082 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,102 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,224 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,470 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 36.7% from $87,339 (2020) to $119,384 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,470 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,131 (50.53%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon 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 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Oregon
Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Springfield | $110,421 |
| Milwaukie | $111,231 |
| Klamath Falls | $111,495 |
| Eugene | $111,866 |
| The Dalles | $112,168 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Oregon
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro | $132,122 | 102.6 | $128,774 |
| Grants Pass | $121,951 | 97.76 | $124,745 |
| Portland | $129,181 | 105.421 | $122,538 |
| Bend | $125,561 | 103.607 | $121,190 |
| Gresham | $123,837 | 102.6 | $120,699 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oregon
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $110,450 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $125,281 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $146,520 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 36 Cities in Oregon
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsboro | $132,122 |
| 2 | Portland | $129,181 |
| 3 | Bend | $125,561 |
| 4 | Salem | $124,931 |
| 5 | Gresham | $123,837 |
| 6 | Grants Pass | $121,951 |
| 7 | Beaverton | $120,311 |
| 8 | Corvallis | $120,104 |
| 9 | McMinnville | $119,984 |
| 10 | Oregon City | $119,843 |
| 11 | Woodburn | $119,045 |
| 12 | Lake Oswego | $118,472 |
| 13 | Forest Grove | $118,161 |
| 14 | Tigard | $117,665 |
| 15 | Redmond | $117,626 |
| 16 | West Linn | $117,288 |
| 17 | Albany | $116,882 |
| 18 | Tualatin | $116,275 |
| 19 | Pendleton | $116,264 |
| 20 | Wilsonville | $116,096 |
| 21 | Medford | $115,644 |
| 22 | Happy Valley | $115,099 |
| 23 | Hermiston | $114,780 |
| 24 | Central Point | $114,726 |
| 25 | Ashland | $114,717 |
| 26 | Keizer | $114,687 |
| 27 | Sherwood | $114,681 |
| 28 | Coos Bay | $114,490 |
| 29 | Roseburg | $114,071 |
| 30 | Canby | $114,007 |
| 31 | Newberg | $113,379 |
| 32 | The Dalles | $112,168 |
| 33 | Eugene | $111,866 |
| 34 | Klamath Falls | $111,495 |
| 35 | Milwaukie | $111,231 |
| 36 | Springfield | $110,421 |
More Oregon Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Compare Cities in Oregon
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Oregon in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Oregon?
How does Oregon dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Oregon?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Oregon?
Which Oregon city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov