Dental Hygienist Salary in Medford, OR: $115,644 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Medford, OR earns a median $115,644/year (≈ $55.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Medford's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.4), that paycheck buys what $114,010 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Medford, Oregon, can expect a median annual salary of $115,644, which signifies a healthy increase compared to the national median of $102,946. The salary range for dental hygienists in this region is projected between $105,696 at the lower end (10th percentile) and $130,178 at the upper end (90th percentile), offering a considerable variance based on experience and work setting. These figures are sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026 and reflect Medford’s balance of competitive pay against a cost-of-living index of 101.433, slightly above the national average. This compensation allows dental hygienists in Medford to maintain a strong purchasing power, highlighting the area's growing employment opportunities within the health care sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,696 | $50.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,609 | $51.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,644 | $55.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,739 | $60.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,178 | $62.59 |
Median Salary Position
12.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, OR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,482 (2026 est.). At $115,644, the local median is 12.33% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Medford median: $115,644/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $120,966 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +12.33% more |
Dental Hygienists in Medford, OR earn a median of $115,644 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.33% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 4.40% below the Oregon state average of $120,966.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 1.43% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, OR has a cost-of-living index of 101.433 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,644 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,010 — a 1.41% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$86,330
2025 BLS Actual
$110,200
2026 Current Est.
$115,644
2020–2027 Growth
+40.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Medford (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $86,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,644 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,357 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 27.6% from $86,330 (2020) to $110,200 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,357 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,027 (40.57%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $105,696 – $106,609 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,609 – $115,644 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,644 – $125,739 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,739 – $130,178 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Medford
The dental hygienist job market in Medford sees approximately 210 professionals employed in various settings, including private practices and larger organizations. The local cost of living impacts how much take-home pay translates to real-life expenses, making it vital for professionals to consider their work environment carefully. Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), like Heartland and Aspen, may offer some of the highest pay, often supplemented by sign-on bonuses for new graduates. Factors contributing to the pay range include the structure of incentives tied to production goals and benefits, as many independent practices may not provide comprehensive health insurance compared to larger organizations. By opting for DSO roles or utilizing independent practice opportunities allowed in Oregon, dental hygienists can maximize their financial potential in Medford, ensuring their skills remain well-compensated in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Medford, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $110,200 for dental hygienistsin the Medford 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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