Construction Manager in Hillsboro, OR

As a career analyst who’s spent years tracking the construction boom in the Portland metro, I can tell you that Hillsboro isn't just another suburb. It’s the engine room of Washington County, where every new chip fab, data center, and affordable housing project creates a track for skilled construction managers. This guide isn’t a sales pitch; it’s a data-driven look at what your career and wallet look like on the ground here.

The Salary Picture: Where Hillsboro Stands

Hillsboro’s construction market is uniquely tied to two forces: the relentless expansion of the Silicon Forest (tech manufacturing and data centers) and the state’s chronic housing shortage. This demand pushes wages higher than the national average, but also means the competition for top-tier talent is fierce.

The median salary for a Construction Manager in the Hillsboro area is $110,352/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $53.05/hour. This sits 3% above the national average of $108,210/year. It’s a solid premium for a manager with the right credentials and local connections. However, that premium is immediately offset by the cost of living, which we’ll break down later.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in this market. Note that these are representative ranges based on current local job postings and BLS data for the region.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary (Hillsboro, OR)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-3 yrs)	$75,000 - $90,000	Assistant PM, field engineer, supervising small crews on residential or light commercial projects.
Mid-Career (4-8 yrs)	$95,000 - $125,000	Full project management, budgeting, subcontractor coordination, safety compliance. Your core earning zone.
Senior (9-15 yrs)	$125,000 - $155,000+	Managing multi-phase projects, complex client relations (e.g., Intel, OHSU), high-value site logistics.
Expert/Specialist (15+ yrs)	$155,000 - $185,000+	Director-level roles, executive construction management, specialized in clean rooms, data centers, or public works.

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-career to senior isn't just about tenure. In Hillsboro, it’s about proving you can manage the unique logistical challenges of a project near a major employer like Intel, where security and clean-air protocols are non-negotiable.

Comparison to Other Oregon Cities:

• Portland: Slightly higher median salary (around $112,000), but commute times and parking costs are a major drawback. Hillsboro offers a better work-life balance for many in the tech sector.
• Bend: A hot market, but salaries are similar to Hillsboro. The difference? Bend’s projects are often in more remote, challenging terrain with higher material transportation costs.
• Eugene: Generally lower salaries (around $100,000 median) and a smaller, more residential-focused construction market.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the numbers. A $110,352 salary sounds great, but in Oregon, state income tax is a significant factor (no sales tax, but a top marginal rate of 9.9% kicks in at a relatively low income). Here’s a monthly budget breakdown for a single person renting a typical 1-bedroom apartment.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Earner, Median Salary)

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$9,196	($110,352 / 12)
Taxes (Est. 25-28%)	-$2,300 to -$2,575	Includes federal, state (OR), FICA. This is a conservative estimate.
Take-Home Pay	$6,621 to $6,896
Rent (1BR Average)	-$1,776
Utilities & Internet	-$200 - $250
Car Payment/Insurance	-$450 - $600	Essential due to Hillsboro’s sprawl and job sites.
Gas/Commute	-$150 - $200
Groceries	-$400 - $500
Health Insurance	-$200 - $400	Varies by employer.
Retirement/401k (10%)	-$920	Crucial for long-term wealth.
Discretionary/Savings	$1,525 - $2,050

This discretionary amount is healthy, but it assumes a disciplined budget. It does not include student loans, significant medical debt, or family expenses.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the biggest question. The median home price in Hillsboro hovers around $475,000 - $500,000. With a $110,352 salary, a 20% down payment ($100,000) is a formidable challenge. It would take years of aggressive saving.

A more common path is a 5-10% down payment with PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance). Using a mortgage calculator, a $450,000 home with 10% down ($45,000) carries a monthly payment (PITI) of roughly $2,800 - $3,100. This is 40-45% of your take-home pay, which is above the recommended 30% threshold. It’s not impossible, but it’s tight and leaves little room for error. Many construction managers in the area partner with a spouse or significant other, opt for condos/townhomes in the $300k-$350k range, or choose to live in neighboring, more affordable towns like Beaverton or Aloha.

Where the Jobs Are: Hillsboro's Major Employers

Hillsboro’s construction market is dominated by a few key sectors. Your job search should be targeted at these employers and their general contractors.

1. Intel Corporation: The 800-pound gorilla. Their D1X and future F18X expansions are multi-billion dollar projects. They hire construction managers directly for facilities roles or work through massive GCs like Turner Construction and DPR Construction. Hiring is cyclical but constant. Trend: Focus is on cleanroom construction, data infrastructure, and sustainability.
2. Tuality Healthcare / OHSU: With a major presence at Tuality Community Hospital, there’s steady work on medical office buildings, outpatient clinics, and facility upgrades. Projects require strict adherence to healthcare construction standards (ICRA, infection control).
3. Data Center Developers (Digital Realty, QTS, Compass): The "Silicon Forest" isn't just chips; it's cloud storage. These companies are constantly building and expanding data centers on the outskirts of Hillsboro and in the surrounding areas (e.g., North Plains). These are fast-paced, tech-heavy projects with massive budgets.
4. Public & Educational Institutions: The Hillsboro School District runs regular bond measures for new schools and renovations. The City of Hillsboro and Washington County also have capital improvement projects (roads, water, parks). These jobs offer great stability and benefits but move slower than private sector work.
5. Major Homebuilders (e.g., D.R. Horton, Pahlisch Homes): The housing shortage keeps residential construction booming. These companies need PMs to manage large-scale subdivisions. The work is volume-driven and requires excellent subcontractor management skills.
6. Specialty GCs (Mackenzie, Howard S. Wright): These regional powerhouses handle a mix of commercial, civic, and tech work. They’re often the prime contractors on projects that aren’t Intel-sized but are still significant for the local market.

Insider Tip: Network with the local Portland Metro Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC Oregon). Almost every major hiring manager in the region is a member. Their events are where you hear about projects before they’re posted.

Getting Licensed in OR

Oregon has a clear path to licensure, which is a significant asset on your resume.

• The License: You need a Construction Contractor’s License (Commercial, Residential, or both) if you’re acting as the prime contractor. However, for most Construction Manager positions (i.e., you’re an employee of a GC or developer), the firm holds the license. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) is your governing body.
• Requirements for Individual Managers: While not always required, a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) credential from CMAA is highly respected. More practically, Oregon requires a "Construction Manager" to be licensed if they offer the service of "holding, directing, or sleeping over a job site" or "providing construction management for a fee." If you're an employee, your company's license covers you.
• Cost & Timeline: The CCB license application fee is $325 (as of 2023). You must also pass an open-book exam (fee: $250). The total initial cost is around $600-$700. The process, from studying to exam to approval, can take 2-4 months.
• Getting Started: Download the CCB study materials immediately. Even if you don't plan to be a prime contractor, having the knowledge and certification makes you a more versatile and valuable candidate.

Best Neighborhoods for Construction Managers

Your neighborhood choice will dictate your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Job sites vary from downtown Hillsboro to the Intel campus to the western farmlands.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent (1BR Estimate)	Best For...
Downtown Hillsboro	Walkable, historic, with the MAX line to Portland. Easy access to courts, city hall, and local restaurants. Commute to Intel is ~15 min.	$1,650 - $1,900	Those who want a true "urban" feel with a short commute.
Orenco Station	A master-planned community at the end of the MAX line. Very family-friendly, with parks and shops. Commute to Intel is 10 min, to Portland is 30 min.	$1,800 - $2,100	Managers with families or those who value safety and community.
Southwest Hillsboro	More suburban, with larger lots and older homes. Quieter, but requires a car for everything. Close to the Tuality Hospital campus.	$1,550 - $1,800	Those who want more space and a quiet residential area.
Northwest Hillsboro	The "tech corridor." Newer apartment complexes, immediate access to Intel's Ronler Acres campus and Hillsboro Airport. Can be noisy.	$1,700 - $2,000	The ultimate commute hack for Intel or data center projects.
Beaverton (adjacent)	Just east of Hillsboro. More diverse, slightly cheaper, and has its own strong job market (Nike, Tektronix). Commute to Hillsboro jobs is 10-20 min.	$1,500 - $1,850	A budget-friendly alternative with great amenities.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Hillsboro offers a clear path for advancement if you specialize.

• Specialty Premiums: Generic commercial experience is common. Specializing in data center construction or cleanroom/semiconductor fabrication can command a 10-15% salary premium due to the complexity and safety protocols. Healthcare construction is another high-value niche.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is Field Engineer > Assistant PM > Project Manager > Senior PM > Project Executive or Director of Construction. Many parlay their experience into Owner’s Representative roles, where you work directly for a client (like Intel or a developer) managing the GCs. This often comes with a higher salary and better work-life balance.
• 10-Year Outlook (8% Job Growth): The 8% projected growth for Construction Managers in the metro area is strong, driven by the ongoing tech expansion and infrastructure needs. However, the industry's cyclical nature is a risk. The key to long-term success here is adaptability—moving between residential, commercial, and public works projects as demand shifts.

The Verdict: Is Hillsboro Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, specialized job market with $110,352 median salary.	High cost of living (index 106.6) eats into that salary.
Diverse project types (tech, healthcare, residential, public).	Competitive housing market; buying a home is challenging on a single income.
Proximity to Portland for amenities, but without the downtown commute.	Traffic congestion on US-26 and OR-217 can be brutal during rush hour.
Outdoor access (Coast Range, Forest Park) for work-life balance.	Wet, gray winters can be tough for those used to sunnier climates.
Stable employers like Intel and OHSU provide long-term project pipelines.	Industry cycles can lead to slowdowns, especially in residential.

Final Recommendation:
Hillsboro is an excellent choice for a mid-career construction manager who is specializing in tech or healthcare construction and is willing to prioritize renting over buying in the short term. It’s not the place for a quick wealth buildup unless you’re at the expert level or have dual income. For those who value a balanced lifestyle with access to nature and a stable, high-tech job market, the $110,352 salary here provides a comfortable and promising career path.

FAQs

1. I’m a Construction Manager from California. Will my experience transfer?
Yes, absolutely. Your high-rise or commercial experience is valued. The main adjustment will be learning Oregon’s specific building codes (which are stricter in some areas, like seismic and energy efficiency) and getting familiar with the local subcontractor network. Your out-of-state license doesn't transfer; you’d need to get your Oregon CCB license if you plan to work independently.

2. How important is a car in Hillsboro?
Essential. While the MAX light rail is great for commuting into Portland or from the western suburbs, almost every construction job site is in an industrial park or on the periphery, not on a transit line. You’ll need a reliable vehicle to get to meetings, site visits, and suppliers.

3. What’s the best way to break into the market here without local connections?
Start with the AGC Oregon events. Then, target the major GCs on the list (Turner, DPR, Mackenzie) and the public sector. Be prepared to start in a project engineer or assistant PM role to learn the local players. Your hard skills are transferable; your soft skills (local knowledge) are what you'll gain on the job.

4. Is the 8% job growth sustainable?
It’s driven by two strong, long-term forces: the global demand for semiconductors (fueling Intel’s expansion) and Oregon’s chronic housing shortage. While there will be cycles, the underlying demand for construction in this corridor is structural, not speculative. The growth is real, but it will come with periods of intense competition.

5. How does the rental market compare to buying for a single person?
For a single earner at the median salary, renting is the more financially prudent choice in the short term. It keeps your fixed costs lower and allows you to save for a down payment without being house-poor. The average rent of $1,776 is high, but it’s still less than the mortgage on a median home, with no property taxes, maintenance, or HOA fees attached.