Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Oregon
The median dental hygienist earns $122,080 a year in Oregon ($58.69 an hour), with the middle half earning between $109,640 and $126,460.[1]
25th percentile
$109,640
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$122,080
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$126,460
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $122,080 per year or $58.69/hr at the median. Oregon runs about 24% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Oregon
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental hygienists in Oregon earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Oregon hourly | Oregon annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50.26 | $104,530 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $52.71 | $109,640 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $58.69 | $122,080 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $60.80 | $126,460 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $64.48 | $134,120 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $57.92 | $120,470 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Oregon
3,600
1.83
1.28
How Oregon compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $122,080 in Oregon vs. $98,100 nationally, $23,980 (24%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $104,530 vs. $74,880, 40% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $134,120 vs. $126,050, 6% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 12.4% in Oregon vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Oregon
All 8 Oregon metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $123,100 | $121,800–$128,350 | 2,380 |
| Bend | $119,650 | $104,690–$123,240 | 230 |
| Salem | $119,050 | $111,420–$124,060 | 300 |
| Grants Pass | $116,210 | $102,960–$123,130 | 60 |
| Corvallis | $114,450 | $105,080–$120,010 | 70 |
| Albany | $111,380 | $104,930–$122,720 | 80 |
| Medford | $110,200 | $101,590–$119,820 | 210 |
| Eugene-Springfield | $106,600 | $106,170–$120,680 | 340 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Oregon
Oregon's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 12.4% over 2024–2034, from 3,660 to 4,120 jobs, with about 280 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental hygienist pay in Oregon
Pay for a dental hygienist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental hygienist roles in Oregon, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Oregon: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Oregon?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Oregon was $122,080 ($58.69 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $109,640 and $126,460. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $104,530 and the top 10% earned over $134,120.
Do dental hygienists in Oregon earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Oregon median of $122,080 is higher than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $23,980 (24%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Oregon metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 8 Oregon metro areas with published BLS data, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has the highest median at $123,100 a year. Eugene-Springfield has the lowest, at $106,600.
How many dental hygienists work in Oregon?
BLS estimates 3,600 dental hygienists were employed in Oregon in May 2025. That is 1.83 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.28, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Oregon?
Oregon's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 12.4% over 2024–2034, from 3,660 to 4,120 jobs. That works out to about 280 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
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Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Oregon long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists