Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$63,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$48,462 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$40,860 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $70,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $53,900▲ | -$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $89,600▲ | -$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $112,000▲ | -$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,462▲ | $43,210 | +$5,252 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,118 | $61,446▲ | -$8,328 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,860▲ | $37,930 | +$2,930 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 105,000 | -55,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $7,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($48,462 vs $43,210 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.