Technology Portland, OR Pop. 652,503

Software Engineer Salary in Portland, Oregon

The median software engineer salary in Portland, OR is $154,008 per year, which is 24.0% above the national median and 6.9% above the Oregon state average.

City Median
$154,008
vs State Avg
+$9,936
vs National
+$29,808
Cost of Living
118%

Software Engineer Pay in Portland: What to Expect (2026)

Portland offers a median software engineer salary of $154,008, which is $9,936 above the Oregon state average of $144,072. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Portland pays above average for this role.

However, Portland's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $154,008 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $130,515. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Portland should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for software engineers in Portland spans from $92,504 at the 10th percentile to $246,239 at the 90th percentile — a $153,735 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $96,720, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $229,400. As a major metro area with a population of 652,503, Portland typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Software Engineer Salary in Portland by Experience

In Portland, an entry-level software engineer earns around $96,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $229,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$96,720
+$18,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$155,000
+$30,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$229,400
+$44,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Portland, OR

Percentile Portland
10th Percentile $92,504
25th Percentile $121,768
Median (50th) $154,008
75th Percentile $196,168
90th Percentile $246,239

Software Engineer Salary in Other Oregon Cities

How to Become a Software Engineer in Portland

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Portland and the surrounding Oregon area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Portland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Portland

Browse open software engineer positions in Portland, OR:

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Portland

How much does a Software Engineer make in Portland, OR? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Portland, Oregon is $154,008 per year, which is 24.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $92,504 (10th percentile) to $246,239 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Portland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $154,008, a software engineer in Portland earns approximately $74 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Portland compare to the Oregon state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Portland's median software engineer salary of $154,008 is 6.9% above the Oregon state average of $144,072. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Portland, OR? ▼
Portland has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $154,008 in Portland has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Portland? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Portland require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.