Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Tualatin, OR: $55.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Tualatin, OR runs $55.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,275 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Tualatin's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,765 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tualatin, Oregon, the average dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to reach $55.90 by 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $49.49. This rate allows for lucrative part-time opportunities, particularly for professionals working three days a week, or those exploring per diem roles in diverse settings such as general dentistry offices, specialized periodontal suites, or public health clinics. The hourly pay range for dental hygienists in Tualatin varies from $45.56 at the entry level to around $71.93 for the highest earners in the field. These figures are derived from projected annual salary data and speak volumes about the potential financial rewards for dental hygienists in this area.
About the Tualatin Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($116,344) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45.56 | $364.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.13 | $393.06 |
| Median (P50) | $55.90 | $447.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.32 | $474.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.93 | $575.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tualatin
Based on $55.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.90/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tualatin, OR can expect to earn approximately $116,275 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,082. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tualatin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tualatin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,236.06 | $9,690 | $116,275 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,341.64 | $5,814 | $69,765 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $894.42 | $3,876 | $46,510 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Tualatin) | $55.90 |
| 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 Tualatin, OR earn a median of $116,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.95% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $120,993.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.90/hr = $69,765/year (purchasing power: $67,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,275/year (purchasing power: $113,329).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$40.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.90/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Tualatin (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $40.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Tualatin grew 31.9% from $40.40/hr (2020) to $53.27/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.66/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 Tualatin 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 Tualatin
Understanding the earning potential for part-time dental hygienists in Tualatin can reveal whether to choose full-time or per diem work. A dental hygienist working just 24 hours a week could expect an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, yet still competitive given the flexibility. In many metropolitan areas, per diem opportunities pay between $40-60 per hour, with areas of high cost of living like San Francisco and New York even exceeding $60-85. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of employment; for instance, positions in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Pacific Dental may offer different structures compared to small private practices or specialty offices. While some may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay even if it means working without those perks. For dental hygienists, negotiating hourly rates based on local standards, experience, and job type is essential for maximizing their income in the competitive Tualatin market.
More salary data for Tualatin, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Tualatin in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Tualatin?
Are dental hygienists in Tualatin paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Tualatin?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Tualatin?
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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 Tualatin. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tualatin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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