Dental Hygienist Salary in Milwaukie, OR: $111,231 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Milwaukie, OR earns a median $111,231/year (≈ $53.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Milwaukie's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $108,412 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental hygienists in Milwaukie, OR, can expect a robust compensation landscape in 2026, with a median annual salary projected at $111,231. This figure paints a positive picture compared to the national median of $102,946, indicating a 8.05% higher pay scale for local professionals. The salary range for dental hygienists in this area spans from $91,148 at the lower percentile to $135,961 at the higher end, highlighting a competitive market. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data reveal a stable job environment, especially considering there are currently six employed dental hygienists in Milwaukie. This number suggests a niche market that could offer growth opportunities, driven by a demand for quality dental care in the region.
About the Milwaukie Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($116,344) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,148 | $43.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,563 | $46.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,231 | $53.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,977 | $58.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,961 | $65.37 |
Median Salary Position
8.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukie
In Milwaukie, OR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,813 (2026 est.). At $111,231, the local median is 8.05% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukie Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Milwaukie median: $111,231/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $121,035 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +8.05% more |
Dental Hygienists in Milwaukie, OR earn a median of $111,231 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.05% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 8.10% below the Oregon state average of $121,035.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukie has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukie, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,231 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $108,412 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$80,393
2025 BLS Actual
$105,995
2026 Current Est.
$111,231
2020–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Milwaukie (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $80,393 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,423 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,051 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,613 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,051 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,995 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,231 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,726 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukie metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 31.8% from $80,393 (2020) to $105,995 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,726 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,333 (45.19%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukie 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $91,148 – $97,563 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,563 – $111,231 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,231 – $120,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,977 – $135,961 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Milwaukie
When evaluating the dental hygienist pay in Milwaukie, various factors come into play. Those six practicing hygienists reflect a somewhat limited job pool, creating potential competition but also opportunities for higher wages in established practices or DSOs, particularly for those with specialized skills. With a cost of living index at 102.6, professionals must consider how take-home pay aligns with living expenses in the area. Employers may vary in their compensation strategies, with multi-doctor group practices and DSOs like Heartland Dental often offering higher wages, sign-on bonuses, and comprehensive benefits compared to solo practices. Additionally, factors such as production-based bonuses related to patient retention and schedule flexibility play significant roles in determining overall compensation. To maximize pay in this market, dental hygienists should explore opportunities in larger practices and consider the value of additional certification or specialization that positions them favorably in a competitive job environment.
More salary data for Milwaukie, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Milwaukie?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $105,995 for dental hygienistsin the Milwaukie metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Milwaukie 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