Jobs · Oregon

Jobs and Salaries in Portland, OR

Estimated salaries for 70 common jobs in Portland, with cost-of-living adjusted figures (1.10× US national average).

Working in Portland

Portland, Oregon has a cost-of-living index of 1.10× US national average — meaning typical wages adjust accordingly. Salaries shown above represent the population median for each role; entry-level positions often pay 25–35% below median, and senior or specialized roles can earn 40–60%+ more.

Top earners in Portland cluster in: Anesthesiologist, Surgeon, Psychiatrist. These tend to require advanced credentials or significant experience, but they also drive competition for talent — meaning recruiters in these fields are often willing to negotiate above-median offers.

Real take-home pay in Portland

The salaries above are gross — before federal income tax (~14% effective at typical incomes), FICA (7.65%), Oregon state tax (varies), and any city local tax. For a precise after-tax calculation in Portland, use our Portland Paycheck Calculator with your specific filing status, 401(k), and deductions.

Compare with other cities

Considering relocating? Use our Portland cost of living comparison to see how Portland stacks up against 49 other US metros. Higher-cost cities pay more nominal salary but cost-of-living often offsets the gain — sometimes a lower-COL city delivers better real purchasing power.

Related pages

Portland Cost of Living Portland Paycheck Calculator Salary Calculator Best Cities for Software Engineers Income Tax Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest-paying job in Portland?
Based on our cost-of-living-adjusted estimates, Anesthesiologists earn the most among the 70 roles we track in Portland — approximately $385,000/year. Top 5: Anesthesiologist ($385,000); Surgeon ($308,000); Psychiatrist ($275,000); Physician (Doctor) ($253,000); Investment Banker ($220,000).
What's a typical professional salary in Portland?
For a representative mid-tier role like Data Analyst, the estimated median in Portland is approximately $92,400/year — about 10.0% above the US national equivalent. Real salaries vary significantly by experience, employer, and specific role.
How accurate are these salary estimates?
These are population-level estimates: US BLS national medians × Portland's cost-of-living multiplier from BEA Regional Price Parities. Real wages vary 30%+ by experience, employer, and specific specialization. Cross-reference with Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, and BLS OEWS for your specific role.
Is Portland a good place to work?
Depends on the role and your priorities. Portland ranks higher for jobs in industries concentrated locally, and lower-COL cities often deliver better real purchasing power than nominal-pay-leading metros. See our Portland cost of living page for context.
What about taxes in Portland?
Federal tax + FICA apply nationwide. Oregon state tax depends on the state's structure. Some major metros (NYC, Philadelphia, Detroit, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, etc.) also levy a city income tax which reduces take-home further. Use our paycheck calculator for the city-specific calculation.