Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Portland, OR vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$63,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$48,462 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$40,860 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $79,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $60,830▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $101,120▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $126,400▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 186 | -56 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75%▲ | 9.3% | -0.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,462▲ | $42,473 | +$5,989 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,118 | $66,207▲ | -$13,089 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,860▲ | $35,595 | +$5,265 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 130,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $16,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 186), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($48,462 vs $42,473 equivalent). Portland, OR has the lower state tax rate (8.75% vs 9.3%).
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.