Are you considering software engineering careers in Oregon, or looking to benchmark your current compensation?
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 312 software engineering roles across Oregon to provide insights into the software engineer salary landscape. This article details the software engineer salary in Oregon for 2025, exploring how much software engineers make and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by the salary survey data.
Average Software Engineer Salary in Oregon
The median Oregon software engineer salary is $171,000 USD per year or $82.21 USD per hour. This figure represents a compelling total compensation package that positions Oregon as “an attractive middle ground between the ultra-high salaries (and costs) of Silicon Valley and the more modest compensation packages found in many other states”.
Salary Range Overview
Oregon’s tax structure includes one of the highest state income tax rates in the nation (9.9% for top earners), but this is offset by the state’s lack of a sales tax. For a software engineer earning the median salary of $171,000, Oregon’s tax structure typically results in approximately $7,000-$10,000 more in annual tax burden compared to states with no income tax. However, when you factor in Oregon’s significantly lower cost of living compared to Silicon Valley, moderately lower salaries (compared to Silicon Valley) can be significantly more valuable in practice.
Factors Influencing Software Engineer Salary
Required Educational
The salary survey data reveals a clear education premium in Oregon’s software engineering market. While a bachelor’s degree remains the standard entry point, pursuing advanced degrees can significantly impact earning potential. PhD holders command the highest salaries, earning nearly 25% more than their bachelor’s degree counterparts.
Interestingly, the jump from bachelor’s to master’s degree yields a moderate 7% salary increase ($12,135), but the leap to PhD delivers a substantial 23% premium ($38,831). This suggests that in Oregon’s competitive tech market, specialized doctoral-level expertise in emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity is particularly valued.
Oregon’s software engineering positions predominantly require a bachelor’s degree, with over 66% of positions listing this as the minimum requirement. However, the significant representation of master’s degree requirements (28%) indicates that Oregon’s tech ecosystem values advanced education, reflecting the state’s focus on semiconductor manufacturing and high-tech innovation.
Years of Experience
The experience progression tells a compelling story about career growth in Oregon’s software engineering market. The most dramatic jump in software engineer earnings occurs in the first year of experience, where compensation increases by over 53% from entry-level positions. This substantial early-career boost reflects Oregon’s competitive market for talent and the premium placed on even minimal professional experience.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 0.88% | 2 |
| 1 year | 1.75% | 4 |
| 2 years | 10.09% | 23 |
| 3 years | 16.23% | 37 |
| 4 years | 9.21% | 21 |
| 5 years | 37.28% | 85 |
| 6 years | 10.53% | 24 |
| 8 years | 10.96% | 25 |
But what if you’re already at the three-year mark? The data shows steady, consistent growth, with salaries continuing to climb through the decade mark. The 6-8 year plateau around $181,000 suggests a natural leveling period, before another significant jump to over $202,000 for senior professionals with 10+ years of experience.
Seniority Level
The progression from entry-level to management represents a 175% increase in compensation, highlighting the tremendous value of leadership capabilities and technical expertise in Oregon’s software engineering field. The most significant leap occurs at the principal level, where salaries jump 38% from lead positions, reflecting the premium placed on deep technical expertise and architectural decision-making abilities.
We know job searching can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to understand if management is the right path for your career. The data shows that while individual contributor roles (Principal) can command substantial salaries approaching $200,000, management positions offer the highest compensation potential at nearly $270,000 annually.
Remote Work
| Work Status | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Remote | $178,699 | 78 |
| Hybrid | $176,226 | 104 |
| Onsite | $161,941 | 130 |
Here’s a surprising finding that challenges conventional wisdom: remote positions in Oregon actually pay 10% more than onsite roles. This premium likely reflects companies’ need to compete for top talent regardless of location, and the fact that remote-eligible positions often require more senior-level expertise and self-direction.
The hybrid model, representing the largest portion of available positions (104 out of 312), offers compensation nearly equivalent to fully remote work, suggesting that Oregon companies recognize the value of flexible work arrangements in attracting and retaining talent.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Wilsonville | $229,825 | $110.49 |
| Hillsboro | $215,621 | $103.67 |
| Medford | $190,800 | $91.73 |
| Portland | $178,780 | $85.95 |
| Bend | $176,791 | $84.99 |
| Multnomah | $174,000 | $83.65 |
| Eugene | $173,204 | $83.27 |
| Mountain View | $169,500 | $81.49 |
| Salem | $149,000 | $71.63 |
| Beaverton | $143,664 | $69.07 |
Silicon Forest, the Washington County cluster of high-tech companies located in the Portland metropolitan area, specifically refers to the industrial corridor between Beaverton and Hillsboro. This explains why Wilsonville and Hillsboro lead Oregon’s software engineer salaries – they’re at the heart of the state’s semiconductor and technology hub.
Wilsonville’s commanding lead, offering salaries 28% higher than Portland’s, likely reflects its proximity to major tech campuses and the concentration of specialised roles. Intel’s Ronler Acres campus eventually became its most advanced anywhere, and Oregon is now Intel’s largest operating hub. In late 2012, Intel had close to 17,000 employees in Oregon, more than anywhere else the company operated; by 2022, the number had grown to about 22,000.
The substantial variation in salaries across Oregon cities, ranging from $143,664 in Beaverton to $229,825 in Wilsonville, reflects both the concentration of high-tech industries and cost-of-living differences. For software engineers considering relocation within Oregon, this geographic arbitrage opportunity could significantly impact total compensation and quality of life.
Top Paying Companies
Here are the companies that consistently offer above-average software engineer salaries in Oregon, representing some of the highest-paying software engineering jobs in the state:
Highest Paying Employers
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Jobot | $248,750 | $119.59 |
| NVIDIA | $238,750 | $114.79 |
| Gusto | $233,000 | $112.02 |
| Siemens EDA | $229,825 | $110.49 |
| Affirm | $229,393 | $110.29 |
| Mercury | $227,383 | $109.32 |
| Veeva Systems | $197,500 | $94.95 |
| Microsoft | $197,188 | $94.80 |
| NIKE | $195,825 | $94.15 |
| WP Engine | $195,000 | $93.75 |
| Elastic | $193,000 | $92.79 |
| Adobe | $187,950 | $90.36 |
| Scribd | $187,875 | $90.32 |
| Workday | $186,384 | $89.61 |
| CyberCoders | $180,625 | $86.84 |
The diversity of high-paying employers reflects Oregon’s mature tech ecosystem. Leading the pack, Jobot’s $248,750 average salary demonstrates the premium that specialized recruiting and staffing companies place on technical talent acquisition skills. NVIDIA’s strong presence at $238,750 aligns with Oregon’s focus on advanced semiconductor and AI technologies.
Nike Tech continues pushing boundaries in tech innovation, especially after their recent strategic pivot from wearables to more focused e-commerce solutions. Their e-commerce business has grown dramatically, now accounting for 42% of total sales and heading toward 50%. This digital transformation explains Nike’s competitive compensation at $195,825, as they compete for the same software engineering talent as pure tech companies.
The presence of companies like Veeva Systems, Microsoft, and Adobe highlights Oregon’s appeal to both established tech giants and specialized SaaS providers, creating a competitive employment market that benefits software engineers across experience levels. It’s worth noting that the average DevOps engineer salary in these top-paying companies often exceeds the general software engineer compensation, reflecting the high demand for specialized skills in the DevOps domain.
The Oregon Advantage: Why Software Engineers Choose the Pacific Northwest
Portland’s tech scene is absolutely crushing it in 2025! The industry is growing faster than anyone expected, with tech salaries averaging $92,000 and some roles hitting over $150K. The growth is super exciting – we’re seeing an 8% increase just this year, which is way above what other cities are doing. What’s making Portland stand out is how it mixes big opportunities with actual affordable living, unlike those crazy expensive tech hubs.
But what about the broader economic context? Oregon’s economic picture has shifted dramatically in the last few decades, moving from heavy reliance on timber and natural resources, to being a hub for technology and semiconductors, health care, and footwear and apparel. Those industries are expected to grow job opportunities in the state in the years to come.
Despite some recent challenges with layoffs at major employers like Intel and Nike, economists expect CHIPS Act funding to help improve the long-term outlook. Companies have already received billions in federal CHIPS Act funding, and state lawmakers have promised $200 million to support the industry.
How to Maximize Your Software Engineer Salary Potential in Oregon
Based on our comprehensive salary survey data analysis, we recommend the following strategies to optimize your software engineer earnings in Oregon:
- Target High-Growth Areas – The semiconductor industry is adding over 6,000 new permanent jobs, plus another thousand in construction, creating exceptional opportunities for software engineers with hardware integration skills
- Consider Geographic Positioning – Wilsonville and Hillsboro offer 28% and 21% salary premiums respectively over Portland, while maintaining reasonable commuting distances
- Embrace Remote-First Opportunities – Remote positions command a 10% premium over onsite roles, reflecting the competitive landscape for distributed talent
- Develop Specialized Expertise – PhD holders earn 25% more than bachelor’s degree holders, with particular premiums in AI, machine learning, and semiconductor-related software development
- Focus on the 2-3 Year Experience Mark – The most significant salary acceleration occurs between years 1-3, when compensation can increase by over 20%
Explore our article on the software engineering skills required in 2025
Future Trends in Software Engineer Salaries in Oregon
The future looks promising for software engineering careers in Oregon, with several trends shaping the market: Job Growth: Projected 12% increase in software engineering positions by 2030. As Oregon’s tech ecosystem continues to evolve beyond its semiconductor roots into diverse areas, including sportswear technology, sustainable tech, and remote work infrastructure, software engineers can expect continued strong demand and salary growth.
Engineers who develop expertise in these emerging areas are likely to command premium salaries as Oregon industries compete for talent with specialised knowledge. State data shows jobs in science, technology, engineering and math, all of which support the semiconductor industry, will pick up, with jobs in those fields expected to outpace the growth rate of all occupations by the end of the decade. Additionally, the mobile developer salary is expected to see significant growth, reflecting the increasing importance of mobile technologies across various industries.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 312 publicly available software engineering salaries in Oregon. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analyzed to identify trends and calculate average salary for software engineers. The data analysis was completed in August 2025, providing the most up-to-date information on software engineer earnings in Oregon.
Conclusion
The software engineering profession offers exceptional earning potential across Oregon, with the median software engineer salary reaching $171,000 USD annually. Oregon stands as an attractive middle ground between the ultra-high salaries (and costs) of Silicon Valley and the more modest compensation packages found in many other states.
While education provides a foundation, experience and specialization significantly influence salary levels. Location choices within Oregon and industry selection have equally important impacts on total compensation, with geographic premiums of up to 28% available in tech-focused cities like Wilsonville.
For software engineers looking to maximize their earning potential, a strategic approach combining technical skill development, geographic positioning, and leadership capabilities is essential. Oregon’s unique combination of major tech employers, emerging startups, and quality of life makes it an increasingly attractive destination for software engineering careers at all stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current median salary for software engineers in Oregon?
According to our analysis of 312 software engineering positions across Oregon, the median software engineer salary is $171,000 USD per year or $82.21 USD per hour. This figure represents a competitive benchmark for software engineering professionals as of August 2025, though actual compensation varies based on education, experience, location, and industry sectors.
How does education level affect software engineer pay in Oregon?
Education significantly impacts software engineering salaries in Oregon. While 66% of positions require only a bachelor’s degree (average salary $165,907 USD), pursuing a master’s degree increases earnings to an average of $178,042 USD annually. PhD holders command the highest premiums at $204,738 USD, representing a 23% increase over bachelor’s degree salaries. This highlights the value of advanced education in Oregon’s competitive tech market.
Which Oregon cities offer the highest salaries for software engineers?
Wilsonville leads with an average annual salary of $229,825 USD, followed by Hillsboro ($215,621 USD) and Medford ($190,800 USD). Portland offers competitive salaries around $178,780 USD annually. The variation often reflects the concentration of Silicon Forest tech companies and specialized industry demand. This data provides insights into regional differences in software engineering salaries across Oregon.
How does experience level affect software engineer salaries in Oregon?
Experience dramatically influences compensation, with the most significant jump occurring in the first year (from $89,003 to $136,625 USD – a 53% increase). Entry-level engineers with no experience earn approximately $89,003 USD, while those with 10+ years can expect $202,285 USD or more. The consistent growth pattern demonstrates clear career progression opportunities in Oregon’s software engineering market.
How does remote work impact software engineer salaries in Oregon?
Surprisingly, remote positions in Oregon command a premium, averaging $178,699 USD compared to $161,941 USD for onsite roles – representing a 10% salary advantage. Hybrid positions offer similar compensation at $176,226 USD. This reflects the competitive nature of the remote talent market and suggests that Oregon companies recognize the value of flexible work arrangements in attracting top software engineering talent.
