Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
63 Highest Paying Jobs in Portland, OR (2026)
The highest-paying job in Portland, OR, Oregon is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $286,170 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 63 tracked occupations the average median is $121,223, with 45 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 130.1 (national average = 100), so a $121,223 nominal salary equals $93,177 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 63 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Portland, OR, OR, from BLS OEWS data. Portland, OR's cost-of-living index runs 130.1 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Portland, OR, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Portland, OR
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Portland, OR's cost-of-living index of 130.1 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $286,170 · 10th–90th $190,510–$318,170 · 700 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Portland, OR earn $286,170 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $318,170. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $219,962 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $212,660 · 10th–90th $126,610–$312,530 · 480 jobs in metro
Pediatricians in Portland, OR earn $212,660 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $312,530. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $163,459 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $209,440 · 10th–90th $140,300–$373,870 · 990 jobs in metro
Dentists in Portland, OR earn $209,440 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $373,870. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $160,984 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $206,220 · 10th–90th $131,020–$351,690 · 660 jobs in metro
Software Quality Assurance Analysts in Portland, OR earn $206,220 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $351,690. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $158,509 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $183,720 · 10th–90th $120,350–$274,530 · 5,680 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Portland, OR earn $183,720 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $274,530. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $141,214 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $172,610 · 10th–90th $100,130–$286,640 · 4,050 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Portland, OR earn $172,610 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $286,640. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $132,675 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $168,830 · 10th–90th $127,100–$196,500 · 2,070 jobs in metro
Pharmacists in Portland, OR earn $168,830 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $196,500. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $129,769 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $164,680 · 10th–90th $103,590–$292,310 · 5,550 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Portland, OR earn $164,680 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $292,310. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $126,580 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $163,810 · 10th–90th $105,180–$216,960 · 1,110 jobs in metro
Physician Assistants in Portland, OR earn $163,810 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $216,960. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $125,911 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $162,640 · 10th–90th $94,000–$282,690 · 3,910 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Portland, OR earn $162,640 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $282,690. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $125,012 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Full Ranking (63 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $286,170 | $190,510–$318,170 | $219,962 | 700 |
| 2 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $212,660 | $126,610–$312,530 | $163,459 | 480 |
| 3 | Dentist | Healthcare | $209,440 | $140,300–$373,870 | $160,984 | 990 |
| 4 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $206,220 | $131,020–$351,690 | $158,509 | 660 |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $183,720 | $120,350–$274,530 | $141,214 | 5,680 |
| 6 | Marketing Manager | Management | $172,610 | $100,130–$286,640 | $132,675 | 4,050 |
| 7 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $168,830 | $127,100–$196,500 | $129,769 | 2,070 |
| 8 | Financial Manager | Finance | $164,680 | $103,590–$292,310 | $126,580 | 5,550 |
| 9 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $163,810 | $105,180–$216,960 | $125,911 | 1,110 |
| 10 | Sales Manager | Management | $162,640 | $94,000–$282,690 | $125,012 | 3,910 |
| 11 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $158,890 | $130,270–$200,720 | $122,129 | 1,390 |
| 12 | Software Developer | Technology | $156,000 | $94,040–$213,540 | $119,908 | 18,260 |
| 13 | Lawyer | Legal | $155,330 | $75,000–$285,800 | $119,393 | 5,170 |
| 14 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $151,260 | $93,360–$336,600 | $116,264 | 3,210 |
| 15 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $148,900 | $100,790–$258,630 | $114,450 | 2,010 |
| 16 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $137,200 | $96,550–$185,760 | $105,457 | 1,050 |
| 17 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $136,250 | $89,700–$166,870 | $104,727 | 350 |
| 18 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $131,720 | $83,670–$218,900 | $101,245 | 1,010 |
| 19 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $130,310 | $97,180–$155,650 | $100,161 | 24,220 |
| 20 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $129,890 | $85,020–$205,270 | $99,839 | 5,230 |
| 21 | Data Scientist | Technology | $129,600 | $78,110–$208,110 | $99,616 | 1,700 |
| 22 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $128,080 | $84,250–$164,720 | $98,447 | 2,320 |
| 23 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $127,360 | $83,560–$176,150 | $97,894 | 4,020 |
| 24 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $126,380 | $80,810–$183,190 | $97,141 | 1,850 |
| 25 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $123,100 | $107,650–$147,470 | $94,620 | 2,380 |
| 26 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $122,830 | $54,940–$344,850 | $94,412 | 0 |
| 27 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $121,050 | $62,140–$280,300 | $93,044 | 21,070 |
| 28 | Web Developer | Technology | $120,640 | $62,180–$187,920 | $92,729 | 880 |
| 29 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $117,280 | $76,800–$214,610 | $90,146 | 2,590 |
| 30 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $112,100 | $85,490–$131,710 | $86,164 | 730 |
| 31 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $109,760 | $56,760–$195,910 | $84,366 | 1,550 |
| 32 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $109,560 | $80,590–$128,410 | $84,212 | 90 |
| 33 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $107,650 | $81,720–$143,780 | $82,744 | 1,140 |
| 34 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $106,280 | $78,860–$166,060 | $81,691 | 4,180 |
| 35 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $106,250 | $82,270–$134,610 | $81,668 | 1,810 |
| 36 | Electrician | Trades | $105,090 | $60,360–$134,380 | $80,776 | 7,340 |
| 37 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $105,020 | $78,210–$165,040 | $80,723 | 2,520 |
| 38 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $103,990 | $61,290–$163,320 | $79,931 | 2,360 |
| 39 | Management Analyst | Management | $103,470 | $76,820–$156,450 | $79,531 | 5,540 |
| 40 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $103,130 | $52,400–$192,830 | $79,270 | 580 |
| 41 | Database Architect | Technology | $103,110 | $62,400–$140,810 | $79,254 | 730 |
| 42 | Network Architect | Technology | $102,950 | $73,380–$138,500 | $79,131 | 2,820 |
| 43 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $102,480 | $70,680–$155,390 | $78,770 | 2,100 |
| 44 | Plumber | Trades | $101,010 | $57,640–$147,100 | $77,640 | 4,600 |
| 45 | Architect | Engineering | $100,490 | $74,100–$132,920 | $77,241 | 1,700 |
| 46 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $99,820 | $65,820–$132,990 | $76,726 | 560 |
| 47 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $99,150 | $77,080–$143,450 | $76,211 | 820 |
| 48 | Loan Officer | Finance | $96,100 | $45,780–$162,900 | $73,866 | 2,840 |
| 49 | Statistician | Technology | $93,620 | $54,580–$167,380 | $71,960 | 390 |
| 50 | Accountant | Finance | $92,200 | $64,680–$136,730 | $70,869 | 10,100 |
| 51 | Writer/Author | Creative | $87,560 | $52,620–$159,470 | $67,302 | 600 |
| 52 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $85,350 | $50,280–$163,440 | $65,603 | 8,130 |
| 53 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $84,120 | $58,640–$108,090 | $64,658 | 6,790 |
| 54 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $83,010 | $49,660–$116,990 | $63,805 | 1,540 |
| 55 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $82,330 | $50,270–$107,650 | $63,282 | 7,530 |
| 56 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $78,380 | $48,170–$129,400 | $60,246 | 3,050 |
| 57 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $75,650 | $47,890–$170,680 | $58,148 | 3,090 |
| 58 | Paralegal | Legal | $75,430 | $48,970–$100,350 | $57,978 | 3,510 |
| 59 | Web Designer | Technology | $73,920 | $50,690–$137,740 | $56,818 | 850 |
| 60 | Carpenter | Trades | $73,710 | $47,440–$108,440 | $56,656 | 9,210 |
| 61 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $69,010 | $46,320–$109,030 | $53,044 | 1,400 |
| 62 | Welder | Trades | $62,050 | $48,050–$83,940 | $47,694 | 3,300 |
| 63 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $60,450 | $40,040–$93,310 | $46,464 | 4,180 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Portland, OR
Portland, OR's economy is anchored by sportswear (Nike, Columbia), semiconductors (Intel), and a growing tech sector. Pay tilts toward technology and design roles.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Portland, OR's cost-of-living index of 130.1 runs 30% above the U.S. national average. Housing is the dominant driver; transportation and services are also above-average. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each salary to a national-average baseline, which is the apples-to-apples comparison when you are weighing offers across metros.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Family Medicine Physician with five-plus years of experience in Portland, OR should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($302,170) or 90th percentile ($318,170), not the $286,170 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $286K Family Medicine Physician salary in Portland, OR (COL 130.1) translates to $220K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Family Medicine Physician in Portland, OR page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Portland, OR is Family Medicine Physician with a median salary of $286,170 and a 90th-percentile reading of $318,170. The role employs roughly 700 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
45 of the 63 BLS-tracked occupations in Portland, OR have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 63 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Portland, OR is $121,223. The cost-of-living index is 130.1, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $93,177 in equivalent purchasing power.
Portland, OR offers high nominal salaries — the average median is $121,223 — but the cost of living index of 130.1 consumes a meaningful share of that premium. The COL-adjusted average is $93,177, which is the right comparison when weighing offers in lower-cost metros.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.