Dental Hygienist Salary in Portland, OR | Pay Insights

Explore the average dental hygienist salary in Portland, including key factors that affect pay and local career opportunities.

How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make in Portland?

The average dental hygienist salary in Portland is $119,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of October 15, 2025. This annual wage translates to an hourly mean wage of $57.21 between Portland, Vancouver, and Hillsboro, the highest rate in Oregon.

While data varies based on job postings, an entry-level hygienist in Portland may earn around $83,200 at the lower end of the range, while a hygienist with a greater level of experience and advanced certifications may earn around $142,000 at the higher end of the range.

Factors Influencing Pay

A dental hygienist’s pay in Portland may depend on factors like experience, certifications, work setting, and location. A hygienist who has years of clinical experience is likely to earn more than dental professionals who are recently starting out in the field. Certifications like registered dental hygienist (RDH) status, specializations in areas like periodontal or pediatric dentistry, and a variety of clinical experience can all increase earning potential.

Work setting and location also play important roles in influencing one’s pay, as hygienists who work with larger organizations or private practices often earn more than those in clinics. Working across multiple practices throughout a week can also bring pay increases. Earning potential may also depend on the neighborhood within the Portland area. For example, hygienists located in higher-income suburbs like Hillsdale may earn more with a stronger clientele than in the city.

How Does Toothio Compare?

Portland dental hygienists who pick up shifts through Toothio earn an average hourly wage of $68.40, with a potential to earn as high as $78.66.* For a hygienist who works 40 hours per week, this translates to about $142,272 annually. This data is based on the average hourly rate for hygienists who pick up shifts with Toothio in the Portland, Vancouver, and Hillsboro areas.

Dental Hygienist Career Outlook

Dental hygienists have the luxury of a strong career outlook nationwide, and Portland is no different. Dental hygienist demand in Portland is high, with an employment rate of 1.55 per thousand, creating many potential opportunities as hygienists are valuable in cases of turnover or the need to fill open shifts.

Hygienists can also strengthen their own career outlook by pursuing continuing education, obtaining advanced certifications, and gaining experience in areas of need. For example, specializing in oral surgery or periodontal dentistry or becoming a registered dental hygienist can increase job prospects.

A platform like Toothio connects seasoned dental hygienists to high-quality work opportunities in reputable dental practices in the Portland area. With Toothio, skilled hygienists can find both permanent and temporary work opportunities that meet their schedule and at their preferred rates.

Other Dental Hygienist Salary Guides

View our dental hygienist salary guides for other cities:

Sources:

“Annual Mean Wage of Dental Hygienists, by Metropolitan Area, May 2024.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Maps, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data.bls.gov/oesmap/. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

“Dental Hygienists.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes291292.htm. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

*Based on the average data from 1099 contractors who pick up shifts on the Toothio platform.