Engineering · Portland, OR

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Portland, OR (2026)

Median Mechanical Engineer salary in Portland is approximately $105,600/year — 10.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Portland

$105,600
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$51
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$4,062
Monthly
$8,800
Annual (gross)
$105,600
vs Oregon state average
State avg: $100,800
+$4,800
vs US national
National median: $96,000
+$9,600

After-tax estimate

$77,458
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$105,600
Federal tax (~14%)
−$14,784
FICA (7.65%)
−$8,078
Oregon state tax
~5% effective
−$5,280
Estimated take-home
$77,458
Monthly take-home
$6,455
For exact take-home, use our Portland Paycheck Calculator.
Mechanical Engineer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Portland
Newark, NJ1.10×$105,600+$0
Sacramento, CA1.10×$105,600+$0
Riverside, CA1.10×$105,600+$0
Denver, CO1.08×$103,700-$1,900
Miami, FL1.12×$107,500+$1,900

Mechanical Engineer salaries in Portland, OR

The estimated median Mechanical Engineer salary in Portland, Oregon is $105,600/year, working out to approximately $51/hour at full-time, $4,062 per biweekly paycheck, or $8,800/month before taxes. Portland's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Oregon state average for this role ($100,800), Portland pays about $4,800 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Portland

Of the gross $105,600, you take home roughly $77,458 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Oregon state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Portland has no local income tax

That works out to about $6,455/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Portland Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Portland pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Portland typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Portland employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Oregon — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Portland Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Mechanical Engineer salary in Portland?
The estimated median Mechanical Engineer salary in Portland, Oregon is $105,600 per year, or approximately $51/hour at standard full-time. Portland sits 10.0% above the US national average for this role.
Portland vs Oregon state — what's the salary difference?
Portland: $105,600. Oregon state average for Mechanical Engineer: $100,800. Difference: +$4,800 (4.8%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Portland have a city income tax?
No, Portland has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Oregon state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Portland's cost of living relative to the US average. Portland's multiplier is 1.10× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Mechanical Engineer in Portland?
Estimate: $77,458/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Oregon state tax (~5.0% effective), and Portland local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Portland Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.