Software Engineer pay in Portland, by the numbers
Here is how that number compares with the rest of the United States, with OR, and with other jobs in Portland.
Software Engineer pay in Portland: national and in-state ranking
On a United States league table of 21 metros, Portland comes 8th. One place higher is Los Angeles at US$160,920, one lower is Washington at US$154,930, and San Jose tops the list.
Portland is the only observed OR metro for this role, so there is no in-state average to compare; the national and metro ranking above is the better reference.
Is US$156,000 a good salary in Portland?
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$156,000).
Cash rank and buying-power rank match for Portland: 8th of 21.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (17% effective) and about US$10,800 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 15% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$7,320 remains.
Portland vs similar-cost metros
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$166,830 (+7% vs Portland), and the modeled budget leaves US$690 more each month.
A software engineer moving from Portland to Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 3% to US$160,920, with US$310 more left over monthly in our model.
Chicago (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$134,380, 14% less than Portland; modeled monthly leftover is US$1,370 lower.
Where Software Engineer ranks among Portland jobs
No tracked occupation in Portland out-earns software engineer (9 roles compared); the runner-up, Lawyer, sits at US$155,330.
Where Portland stands for junior and senior software engineers
The Portland market rewards seniority more than entry: the 90th percentile (US$213,540) ranks 9th of 21, but the 10th (US$94,040) only 11th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$289,150 at the 90th percentile, +35% against Portland.
The software engineer pay range in Portland
The 90th percentile (US$213,540) is 2.3× the 10th (US$94,040), a wide band that usually reflects different seniority levels and employer types under one title.