EngineeringUpdated Q1 2026

Environmental Engineer Salary
in Portland, OR

Develop solutions to environmental problems including pollution control and waste management. Median salary in Portland: $103K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$103K
per year
Take-home: $62K

Salary range in Portland

Entry level (25th)$76,000
Median (50th)$103,000
Senior (75th)$134,000
Top earner (90th)$170,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Portland, Oregon. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Portland

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

12% premium vs national median

Environmental Engineers in Portland earn approximately 12% higher than the US national median for this role — a $11,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Portland's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Portland's cost-of-living index (130), the median Environmental Engineer salary buys the equivalent of $79,231 in a US-average-cost city. That's $12,769 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

9.9% state tax = $10,197/yr

Oregon's 9.9% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $10,197 per year at the median salary. A Environmental Engineer relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Key facts for Portland

Median salary
$103K
annual
Take-home pay
$62K
after fed/state tax
COL index
130
100 = US avg
State income tax
9.9%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,850
per month
YoY growth
+4.2%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Portland Environmental Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $103K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Portland

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Environmental Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$86K$94K$102K$109K$117K201920212023202520272029
2026
$106K
projected
2027
$108K
projected
2028
$111K
projected
2029
$114K
projected
2030
$117K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$103,000+$0
2028 projected$103,000+$0
2029 projected$103,000+$0
2030 projected$103,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Environmental Engineer Salary in Portland, Oregon: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Environmental Engineer salary in Portland, OR is $103,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Portland–OR metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Environmental Engineer in Portland

Entry-level Environmental Engineers in Portland with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $76,000 and $103,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $103,000 to $134,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $134,000 to $170,000 or more.

Cost of living in Portland for Environmental Engineers

Portland has a cost of living index of 130 compared to the US national average of 100. Portland's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Oregon has a 9.9% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Environmental Engineer

Bachelor's in Environmental Engineering; PE license. 28% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Environmental Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Portland (current)$103K130
Salem$97K105
Eugene$101K110
Gresham$109K118