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2026 Salary Data — Portland, OR
Updated April 28, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in Portland: $95K Median

Registered Nurses in Portland, OR earn between $70K and $146K per year.

That's +10% above the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Portland, OR is $94,677 per year — +10% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $70,092 (entry, 25th percentile) to $145,948 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Portland earned approximately $14,345 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$94,677
+560.0% YoY · $7,890/mo
Entry
$71,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$115,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$145,948
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Portland vs Nearby
Portland
$95K
Sacramento
$93K
+2% vs Portland
Miami
$90K
+5% vs Portland
Austin
$99K
-4% vs Portland

Free ATS scan · Portland employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Registered Nurses in Portland

Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient assessment and care planning
  • Medication administration
  • Wound care and clinical procedures
  • Patient and family education
  • Care coordination with physicians

Education & Certifications

Typical path: BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN

In-demand certifications

NCLEX-RNBLS/ACLSCCRN (critical care)CNOR (perioperative)Compact Nursing License

Portland Job Market

Tech and athletic apparel hub with strong outdoor lifestyle culture.

Population
652K
Cost of Living
132
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$540K

Top Industries in Portland

TechManufacturing (Nike, Intel)HealthcareApparel

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in Portland or hiring remotely from this metro.

HCA Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
CommonSpirit Health
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Registered Nurse listings.

TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses.

Registered Nurse Salary Breakdown — Portland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$70,092$94,677$145,948
Monthly$5,841$7,890$12,162
Weekly$1,348$1,821$2,807
Hourly$34$46$70

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Portland's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Portland

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,802.495
Per month$5,650
Biweekly paycheck$2,608
Effective tax rate28.4%

Tax Breakdown on $94,677

Gross salary$94,677
Federal income tax−$12,530.94
Oregon state tax−$7,100.775
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,242.791
Take-home (net)$67,802.495

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Registered Nurse Salary by Experience — Portland

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Portland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$65,780
2–3 yr$71,500
4–6 yr$93,500
7–10 yr$115,500
11–15 yr$136,290
15+ yr$130,724

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Portland's 1.10× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$14,345
2026 median:$94,677
Change:+$80,332

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth and Epic EHR.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$71,725
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Portland

Walk-away anchor: $86,070 (offers below this are below market for Portland).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $116K–$146K for experienced roles, citing Portland market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Portland

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Portland, OR?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Portland is $94,677 per year as of April 2026 — $7,890/month, $1,821/week, or about $46/hour. Salaries range from $70,092 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $145,948 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Portland's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×).
Is $94,677 a good Registered Nurse salary in Portland?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Portland's cost-of-living index is 132 (vs 100 nationally), giving $94,677 a real purchasing power of approximately $71,725 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $94,677 in Portland?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Portland specifically (median home price $540,000), a $94,677 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $94,677 enough for a single person in Portland?
A single adult in Portland typically needs ~$59,400 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $94,677 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $94,677 enough for a couple in Portland?
A couple (one earner) in Portland typically needs ~$95,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $94,677 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $94,677 each ($189,354 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $94,677 enough for a family of 4 in Portland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Portland typically needs ~$145,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $94,677 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Portland. Childcare costs in Portland typically run $20K-$37K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Portland?
On a $94,677 Registered Nurse salary in Portland, OR, you take home approximately $67,802.495 per year ($5,650/month, $2,608 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $12,530.94, state $7,100.775, FICA $7,242.791. Effective tax rate: 28.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Portland earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Portland earn approximately 10% more than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $94,677 in Portland). However, Portland's cost-of-living index of 132 means real purchasing power is approximately $71,725 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Portland?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Portland typically start at around $71,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $115,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $145,948+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Portland increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Portland grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,345 in 2025 to $94,677 in 2026 (+$80,332). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Portland?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Portland's top industries include Tech, Manufacturing (Nike, Intel), Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Registered Nurses are: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Portland.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in Portland?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Portland include: HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, CommonSpirit Health, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Registered Nurse salary in Portland?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Portland?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., NCLEX-RN or BLS/ACLS). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Registered Nurse in Portland?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, Portland's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Registered Nurse salary figures for Portland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by Portland's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Portland

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Physician →Dentist →

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

Austin, TX$99KDenver, CO$95KBaltimore, MD$95KSacramento, CA$93KMinneapolis, MN$95K

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