How does a Professor's salary in Portland compare to the rest of Oregon?

Portland's cost of living index is 123 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted upward accordingly. A Professor earning the city-adjusted median of $103,787 earns $22,587 more than the median household income in Portland ($81,200).

Professor Salary in Portland, OR — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Portland's cost of living (index: 123). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Professor Salary in Portland — Key Numbers

$103,787

Median Salary

$70,848

25th Percentile

$150,626

75th Percentile

$207,772

90th Percentile

National median (Professor)$84,380

vs. National median+23.0%

Portland median household income$81,200

vs. City household income+27.8%

Cost of Living in Portland

Cost of Living Index

123(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,395/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio16.1%

Annual rent cost$16,740

Median Home Price$490,000

Home Price / Salary4.7×

20% Down Payment$98,000

Years to save (20% rate)4.7 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Portland

4.2%

Unemployment Rate

2,520,000

Metro Population

26 min

Avg Commute

Median Age

Portland has a metro population of 2,520,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Portland

💰

Take-Home Pay Calculator

See your net pay on $103,787/yr

⏱️

Salary to Hourly

Convert $103,787/yr to hourly rate

🏙️

Cost of Living — Portland

Compare Portland to other cities

🏠

Rent vs. Buy in Portland

Is buying worth it on your salary?

📊

Budget Planner

Plan your budget in Portland

🗺️

Professor Salary in Oregon

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Portland

Physician$282,039 Chief Executive Officer$258,300 Dentist$215,877 IT Manager$208,497 Marketing Manager$193,873 Lawyer$179,285

Professor Salary — Other Oregon Cities

Eugene, OR$90,287

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Professor make in Portland, OR?

The estimated median salary for a Professor in Portland is $103,787 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $84,380 adjusted by Portland's cost of living index (123). The typical salary range runs from $70,848 (25th percentile) to $150,626 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $207,772.

Is Portland affordable for a Professor?

On a $103,787 annual salary, a Professor in Portland would spend approximately 16.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,395/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Portland relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $490,000 is 4.7× the annual salary.

How does a Professor's salary compare to Portland's overall income?

Portland's median household income is $81,200. A Professor earning the city-adjusted median of $103,787 earns 27.8% more than the typical Portland household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Professor — National Professor in Oregon All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.