Dental Hygienist Salary in Klamath Falls, OR: $111,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Klamath Falls, OR earns a median $111,495/year (≈ $53.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Klamath Falls's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $108,670 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Klamath Falls, Oregon, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $111,495, a competitive figure that exceeds the national median of $102,946 by 8.30%. With a salary range between $91,804 at the 10th percentile and $136,820 at the 90th percentile, these earnings reflect a growing market for dental hygienists in the area. Currently, there are only four dental hygienists employed locally, indicating a tight labor market that may provide opportunities for growth and recruitment. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors, suggest that Klamath Falls could be an attractive option for dental hygienists seeking both competitive compensation and a stable job market.
About the Klamath Falls Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($116,344) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,804 | $44.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,114 | $47.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,495 | $53.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,596 | $58.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,820 | $65.78 |
Median Salary Position
8.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Klamath Falls
In Klamath Falls, OR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,016 (2026 est.). At $111,495, the local median is 8.3% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Klamath Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Klamath Falls Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Klamath Falls median: $111,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Klamath Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $121,058 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +8.30% more |
Dental Hygienists in Klamath Falls, OR earn a median of $111,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.30% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 7.90% below the Oregon state average of $121,058.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Klamath Falls has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Klamath Falls, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,495 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $108,670 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$80,583
2025 BLS Actual
$106,246
2026 Current Est.
$111,495
2020–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Klamath Falls (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $80,583 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,633 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,265 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,847 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,614 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,002 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Klamath Falls metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 31.8% from $80,583 (2020) to $106,246 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,419 (45.19%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Klamath Falls 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) | $91,804 – $98,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,114 – $111,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,495 – $121,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,596 – $136,820 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Klamath Falls
Despite the high projected earnings, the cost of living index in Klamath Falls stands at 102.6, indicating that while salaries are healthy, residents must contend with a living environment that is slightly above the national average. This scenario can affect take-home purchasing power, making it essential for dental hygienists in the area to consider their employment options carefully. Employers such as multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental often offer higher pay structures that may include production-based bonuses, sign-on incentives, and comprehensive benefits—contrasting with smaller private practices that might lack such perks. To maximize earnings in Klamath Falls, dental hygienists should explore opportunities in expanding DSOs or multi-provider settings, where rewards for performance can noticeably increase overall compensation.
More salary data for Klamath Falls, 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 $106,246 for dental hygienistsin the Klamath Falls 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 Klamath Falls 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