Average salary in Oregon

Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It has a diverse economy, ranging from agriculture to technology, and is home to several large cities, including Portland and Salem. Understanding the average salaries and highest paying counties in Oregon can help individuals make informed decisions about their career and financial future. 

The average salary in Oregon may vary depending on several factors such as location, industry, and occupation. For example, the cost of living in Portland is higher than in smaller cities or rural areas. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries? 

Average salary in Oregon by city 

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Oregon’s own cities can vary greatly in average salary; Hillsboro can command more than $83,000, while Medford’s average sits below $50,000.  

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.  

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in Oregon, which you can find ranked below.  

Average salary in Oregon by county 

Reviewing average salaries in Oregon by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Oregon by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.  

Highest paying jobs in Oregon

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Oregon: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Oregon

What is the average salary in Oregon by age?
Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Oregon are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $35,297; householders aged 24 to 44 years old have a median income of $63,936; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $72,058; and those 65 and older have a median income of $47,825.

What is a ‘good’ salary in Oregon?
The median income in Oregon is $65,890. Defining ‘good’ relies on all sorts of variable factors and these should be taken into account.

What is the average salary in Oregon by hour?
If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in California is $36.54.

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