Dental Hygienist Pay

Portland vs Redmond: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Portland, OR and Redmond, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Portland, OR
$129,181
$62.10/hr
Redmond, OR
$117,626
$56.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, ORRedmond, OR
Median Salary$129,181$117,626
Hourly Rate$62.10$56.55
Entry Level (P10)$112,968$88,534
25th Percentile$127,817$105,039
75th Percentile$134,690$126,332
Top Earner (P90)$154,755$142,854
Total Employed2,3805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($129,181) and Redmond ($117,626) dental hygienist salaries.PortlandRedmondMedian Salary$129,181$117,626Entry Level (P10)$112,968$88,534Top Earner (P90)$154,755$142,854US Median $102,946

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Redmond.

The salary gap between Portland and Redmond is $11,555 (9.82%). Portland's median is +25.48% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portland spans $41,787,Redmond spans $54,320. Redmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$112,968
P25$127,817
Median$129,181
P75$134,690
P90 (Top)$154,755
Redmond
P10 (Entry)$88,534
P25$105,039
Median$117,626
P75$126,332
P90 (Top)$142,854

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($122,538 effective) pays 6.88% more than Redmond ($114,645 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $129,181
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $122,538
Redmond
Nominal: $117,626
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $114,645

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,181/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($154,755)
  • Larger job market (2,380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $122,538)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Redmond if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Portland grew 40.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 31.8% growth in Redmond over the same period.

Portland, OR

+40.6%

$87,580 (2020) → $123,100 (2025)

Redmond, OR

+31.8%

$85,015 (2020) → $112,089 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Portland or Redmond?

Portland has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $129,181/year, compared to Redmond at $117,626/year — a difference of $11,555 (9.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and Redmond?

Portland dental hygienists earn $62.10/hr while Redmond hygienists earn $56.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portland to Redmond as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and Redmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $122,538, Redmond = $114,645), job availability (2,380 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Portland vs Redmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $112,968 in Portland and $88,534 in Redmond. The Portland area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov