If you are thinking about packing up and moving to the Pacific Northwest, or maybe you're already here and looking to switch careers, you probably have one big question on your mind: What is the job market actually like in Portland right now?
It is February 2026, and honestly, the conversation is a lot different than it was just two years ago. We aren't seeing the frantic hiring sprees of the early 2020s, but we also aren't in the slump that followed. The market has settled into a steady rhythm. Whether you are an engineer eyeing the Silicon Forest or a healthcare pro looking for stability, there is plenty of opportunity here - if you know where to look.
Here is a realistic look at who is hiring, what they are paying, and what you can expect from the Portland economy this year.
Portland Job Market Snapshot (February 2026)
To understand where we are today, we have to look at the numbers. The market is currently stabilizing after a couple of years of fluctuations, and while it’s competitive, it is far from stagnant.
As of early 2026, the unemployment rate in the Portland metro area is hovering around 4.9%. That is slightly higher than the national average, but the good news is that it’s leveling off rather than climbing. It feels less like a hiring freeze and more like a return to normal, cautious growth. If you are moving to Portland without a job lined up, you should know that employers are hiring, but they are being more selective than they were a few years ago.
Despite that selectiveness, the volume of opportunity is still high. In January alone, there were over 42,000 active job listings across major platforms for the region. We are seeing average hourly wages push up to around $26.56, which reflects a real need for skilled labor. Employers know the cost of living in Portland has shifted, and wages are slowly creeping up to try and match that reality.
Top Industries Driving Hiring in 2026
If you want to land a job quickly, your best bet is to look where the growth is. Right now, the local economy is being propped up by three main pillars: healthcare, technology, and apparel, with clean energy making a strong entrance.
Healthcare and bioscience are hands down the most aggressive hirers in the region right now. Private education and health services saw significant growth last year, adding thousands of jobs. It’s not just doctors and nurses, either - there is a huge demand for admin, tech support within hospitals, and research roles. If you are in this sector, you are likely in the driver's seat when it comes to negotiations.
Then you have the famous Silicon Forest. While the tech sector is more selective than it used to be, it remains a powerhouse. The focus has shifted away from general software roles toward specialized fields like AI, automation, and semiconductors. This is largely driven by momentum from the CHIPS Act, which has revitalized hardware manufacturing in Washington County. If you are looking for best neighborhoods for tech workers, you’ll likely end up looking west of the city where these campuses are located.
We also can't talk about Portland without mentioning the apparel and outdoor industry. This region is the global hub for athletic wear, hosting giants like Nike, Adidas, and Columbia. While corporate roles here have become increasingly hybrid, they remain a major draw for marketing, design, and supply chain talent. Living in Beaverton puts you right in the backyard of several of these headquarters.
Finally, keep an eye on clean tech and renewable energy. With the state pushing hard for net-zero goals by 2040, we are seeing rapid investment in green energy projects. It is an emerging sector, but one that is creating a new wave of engineering and project management jobs.
Largest Employers in the Greater Portland Area
When people say they work in "Portland," they often mean they work in the greater metro area. This distinction is huge because many of the region's largest employers aren't actually inside the city limits - they are in the suburbs.
Intel is the perfect example. Located in Hillsboro, it is the region's largest private employer with over 22,000 employees. It anchors the Silicon Forest and drives a massive amount of the local economy, specifically in hardware and engineering. If you land a job here, you might find Hillsboro real estate more convenient than trying to commute from a funky inner-Portland neighborhood.
On the healthcare side, Providence Health & Services and OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) are the titans. Combined, they employ over 40,000 people. OHSU is unique because it is also a massive research institution and sits right on the hill overlooking downtown Portland, making it a central fixture of the city itself.
For sportswear, Nike is the big dog, headquartered in Beaverton. Columbia Sportswear is also a major player located in Washington County. Manufacturing is still alive and well too, with companies like Daimler Truck North America and Precision Castparts providing stable, long-term employment for thousands of residents. If you are commuting from Vancouver WA, these industrial and suburban HQs often make for an easier drive than trying to cross the river into downtown.
Remote Work and Hybrid Trends
The way we work in Portland has fundamentally changed, and 2026 has solidified the "hybrid" model as the new standard.
Portland has maintained a higher-than-average share of remote work compared to the rest of the country, sitting at around 10% of roles versus the national average of 6%. This is largely due to our density of tech jobs. However, fully remote roles are becoming rarer. Most headquarters in downtown and Beaverton now require employees to be in the office two or three days a week.
This shift has had a ripple effect on where people choose to live. Since workers don't need to be in the office every single day, many are willing to tolerate a slightly longer commute in exchange for more space. We are seeing remote and hybrid workers continue to move to suburbs of Portland like Gresham, Happy Valley, and even up north to Vancouver to get more square footage for their home offices.
Salaries vs. Cost of Living: The Real Numbers
This is the part where we have to be real about the money. Portland is an amazing place to live, but it is not cheap, and you need to make sure your salary lines up with your lifestyle expectations.
There is a definite gap between wages and expenses. The cost of living here is roughly 16% to 25% higher than the national average, and that is driven almost entirely by housing. Housing costs alone sit at more than 40% above the national average. If you are looking at Portland property taxes and home prices, you'll see why a higher salary is necessary.
However, there are some offsetting factors that help balance the budget. Utilities here are generally cheaper than the national average thanks to abundant hydro power, and Oregon has no sales tax. That makes a big difference on big-ticket purchases like cars or appliances. However, keep in mind that we have a high state income tax, so your take-home pay might look different than it would in a state like Washington or Texas.
In terms of buying power, a salary between $85,000 and $110,000 is often the benchmark for buying a home comfortably within the city limits. If you are earning less than that, you might find yourself navigating the rent vs buy Portland debate or looking at a longer commute from more affordable areas.
2026 Economic Outlook: Risks and Opportunities
Looking ahead at the rest of 2026, the vibe is cautiously optimistic. We aren't booming, but we are building.
Downtown Portland is in the middle of a slow but visible recovery. Pedestrian activity is up about 12% year-over-year, which makes the city feel more alive. However, commercial vacancies remain high at around 25%. This creates an interesting dynamic where there is plenty of office space available, but the street-level economy is still catching up.
The biggest opportunities lie in the government's support for green energy and semiconductor manufacturing. These are federally backed industries that provide a safety net for the local economy. On the flip side, the biggest risk remains housing affordability. It is a major barrier for recruiting talent, and we do see some high-income earners migrating across the river to Washington to escape the income tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it hard to get a job in Portland right now?
It depends heavily on your industry. While the unemployment rate is around 4.9%, sectors like healthcare and specialized tech are hiring aggressively, whereas general administrative or retail roles may face more competition. It is not necessarily "hard," but it is competitive, so having specialized skills helps significantly.
What is a good salary to live comfortably in Portland in 2026?
To live comfortably and consider buying a home in the city, an individual income between $85,000 and $110,000 is a solid target. If you are renting or living with roommates, you can certainly live well on less, but the high cost of housing eats up a large chunk of the budget for lower earners.
Who is the biggest employer in Portland?
If we are talking about private employers, Intel is the largest with over 22,000 employees based largely in Hillsboro. If you include healthcare networks, Providence Health & Services and OHSU are the massive anchors that employ tens of thousands across the metro area.
Is remote work still common in Portland?
Yes, but the definition has shifted. While fully remote jobs are harder to find than they were a few years ago, hybrid schedules are very common, especially in the tech and apparel sectors. You should expect to be in the office 2-3 days a week rather than working from home 100% of the time.
