๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 107 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Hillsboro, OR

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$70,471
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$66,108
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$160,740
1BR Rent
$1,776
median monthly

Letโ€™s get one thing straight about Hillsboro in 2026: this isnโ€™t just Portlandโ€™s quiet suburb anymore. With 107,726 people and a 46.8% college-educated workforce, itโ€™s become a powerhouse in its own right, especially if youโ€™re in tech or healthcare.

The numbers tell a fascinating story about your paycheck. Hillsboroโ€™s cost of living sits at 106.6 โ€” about 6.6% above the national average. That sounds steep, but the median household income of $103,439 provides serious counterbalance. Your money stretches further here than it does in Seattle or San Francisco, but that one-bedroom apartment still runs you $1,776 a month. Itโ€™s not a bargain, but itโ€™s a calculated trade-off.

Whoโ€™s actually thriving? The tech and manufacturing sectors, plain and simple. Intelโ€™s massive presence anchors the economy, and youโ€™ll feel that in the salaries for software developers, who command nearly $130,000. Healthcare is another giant; pharmacists are pulling down $138,723. Even construction managers are seeing six figures, a sign of the cityโ€™s relentless growth. This is a white-collar and skilled-trade town.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages are holding their own, but theyโ€™re not sprinting ahead of costs. The average salary across all roles is $70,471, which adjusts to a more realistic $66,108 after cost of living. Itโ€™s a solid middle-class life, especially for dual-income households. But if youโ€™re a single earner in a lower-paying field, youโ€™ll feel the squeeze. This city rewards specialized skills.

The data below breaks down exactly which jobs make the cut and what your take-home pay really looks like. Whether youโ€™re a marketing manager eyeing $160,000 or just starting out, the numbers donโ€™t lie.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Hillsboro

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$160,740
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $150,788
โฑ Hourly $77.28/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 215
๐Ÿฅˆ +2% vs national

Pharmacist

$138,723
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $130,134
โฑ Hourly $66.69/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 215
๐Ÿฅ‰ +2% vs national

Software Developer

$129,779
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $121,744
โฑ Hourly $62.39/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 646
4๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Construction Manager

$110,352
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $103,520
โฑ Hourly $53.05/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 215
5๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Project Manager

$103,285
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $96,890
โฑ Hourly $49.66/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 215

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Hillsboro

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (107/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $160,740
2 Pharmacist $138,723
3 Software Developer $129,779
4 Construction Manager $110,352
5 Project Manager $103,285
6 Physical Therapist $101,684
7 Financial Analyst $100,970
8 Web Developer $94,586
9 Dental Hygienist $89,263
10 Accountant $87,784
11 Registered Nurse $87,774
12 Data Analyst $85,010
13 Police Officer $76,393
14 Human Resources Specialist $68,989
15 Elementary School Teacher $64,930
16 Plumber $64,604
17 Paralegal $63,992
18 Electrician $62,768
19 Real Estate Agent $62,697
20 Graphic Designer $62,554
21 Firefighter $58,250
22 Carpenter $58,047
23 HVAC Technician $56,772
24 Heavy Truck Driver $54,141
25 Auto Mechanic $50,989
26 Insurance Agent $50,989
27 Pharmacy Technician $50,989
28 Dental Assistant $50,989
29 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,989
30 Loan Officer $50,989
31 Nail Technician $50,989
32 Cosmetologist $50,989
33 Personal Trainer $50,989
34 Chef/Head Cook $50,989
35 Social Worker $50,989
36 Veterinary Technician $50,989
37 Welder $50,571
38 Medical Assistant $39,027
39 Security Guard $36,855
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $36,468

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Hillsboro

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,776/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$2,024/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$521,300
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
4.0%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$103,439
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
47%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
107
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Hillsboro?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Hillsboro. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Hillsboro Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Hillsboro, OR?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Hillsboro is $70,471 (2026). This figure is 6.6% above the national average due to a COL index of 106.6. Insight: The median household income of $103,439 suggests many households earn more than this average.

What jobs pay the most in Hillsboro?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Hillsboro is Marketing Manager at $160,740 (2026). This salary is more than double the city's average of $70,471. Insight: High-paying roles are often concentrated in the tech and corporate sectors prevalent in the region.

Is Hillsboro affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $160,740 is highly affordable in Hillsboro. The cost of living index is 106.6, and a 1BR rent is $1,776/month, which is only 13% of the gross monthly salary. Insight: This leaves substantial room for savings and discretionary spending after taxes and housing.

How does Hillsboro's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Hillsboro's cost of living index is 106.6, meaning expenses are 6.6% higher than the national average. For a $70,471 average salary, this reduces purchasing power compared to lower-cost areas. Insight: Your paycheck must cover higher rent ($1,776/month for a 1BR), which is 30% of the average monthly salary.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Hillsboro?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary in Hillsboro is approximately $103,439, matching the median household income. This allows for the $1,776/month 1BR rent (21% of gross monthly income) and other expenses with a buffer. Insight: The COL index of 106.6 means you need about 6.6% more than the national average for comfort.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Hillsboro Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Hillsboro isnโ€™t a slam dunk for savings. With a cost-of-living index of 106.6 and average rent at $1,776, youโ€™ll need a solid paycheck to thrive. The average salary of $70,471 doesnโ€™t cut it comfortably, but if you land in marketingโ€”specifically as a manager earning around $160,740โ€”this place can feel like a steal, especially with the COL-adjusted salary at $150,788.

Tech workers benefit most here; the semiconductor and tech ecosystem is strong, offering high-paying roles that offset the costs. Healthcare and trades can do okay, but youโ€™ll likely need to hustle more for financial breathing room.

My advice? Donโ€™t move here blind. Negotiate your salary with the cost-of-living index in mindโ€”and make sure your rent budget includes a buffer for those inevitable price hikes.

Explore Hillsboro Further