Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $62.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Portland, OR runs $62.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,181 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,505 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental hygienists in Portland, Oregon, enjoy a competitive hourly rate of $62.10, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $49.49. This favorable compensation opens avenues for both part-time and per-diem professionals, making it attractive for those seeking flexible work arrangements. For instance, a hygienist working three days a week would earn a substantial income, solidifying the profession's appeal in various settings like general dentistry offices, periodontal suites, and public health clinics. Entry-level positions start at around $54.32 per hour, with top earners in the field reaching up to $74.40, showcasing the potential for financial growth in this career path. Such figures are based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projecting trends for 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.32 | $434.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.45 | $491.62 |
| Median (P50) | $62.10 | $496.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.76 | $518.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.40 | $595.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $62.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.10/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $129,175 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,524. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,484.14 | $10,765 | $129,175 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,490.48 | $6,459 | $77,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $993.66 | $4,306 | $51,670 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Portland) | $62.10 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Portland, OR earn a median of $129,181 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.48% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 6.70% above the Oregon state average of $121,069.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.10/hr = $77,505/year (purchasing power: $73,520).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,175/year (purchasing power: $122,533).
CoL index: 105.421 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$42.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.10/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+54.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Portland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $42.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Portland grew 40.5% from $42.11/hr (2020) to $59.18/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.17/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Portland
Considering part-time work, a dental hygienist in Portland who operates on a three-day work week, clocking in approximately 24 hours, would see a noteworthy income that still provides financial stability while offering flexibility. The per diem or agency work landscape presents another dynamic—temp agencies typically pay Registered Dental Hygienists (RDHs) between $40 and $60 per hour. However, in high-cost areas, rates can surge up to $85 per hour, albeit such travel positions are less common than in nursing. In terms of employer comparisons, solo practices may offer lower hourly rates compared to larger Group Practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental, which sometimes entice new hires with added benefits and sign-on bonuses. Negotiating compensation can be pivotal; hygienists may have to weigh higher hourly rates against health benefits provided by more traditional employment situations, adjusting their priorities based on personal and financial needs. Understanding the specific nuances can help dental hygienists effectively advocate for their worth in this robust market.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Portland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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