Salaries in Hillsboro, OR
What every job actually pays โ cost-of-living adjusted
Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data
Letโs get one thing straight about Hillsboro in 2026: this isnโt just Portlandโs quiet suburb anymore. With 107,726 people and a 46.8% college-educated workforce, itโs become a powerhouse in its own right, especially if youโre in tech or healthcare.
The numbers tell a fascinating story about your paycheck. Hillsboroโs 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. Itโs not a bargain, but itโs a calculated trade-off.
Whoโs actually thriving? The tech and manufacturing sectors, plain and simple. Intelโs massive presence anchors the economy, and youโll 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 cityโs relentless growth. This is a white-collar and skilled-trade town.
Hereโs my honest take: wages are holding their own, but theyโre 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. Itโs a solid middle-class life, especially for dual-income households. But if youโre a single earner in a lower-paying field, youโll 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 youโre a marketing manager eyeing $160,000 or just starting out, the numbers donโt lie.
๐ Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Hillsboro
Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.
Marketing Manager
Pharmacist
Software Developer
Construction Manager
Project Manager
๐ 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.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.
๐๏ธ Living Costs in Hillsboro
๐งฎ 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?
โผ
What jobs pay the most in Hillsboro?
โผ
Is Hillsboro affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?
โผ
How does Hillsboro's cost of living affect my paycheck?
โผ
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Hillsboro?
โผ
๐ Editor's Verdict: Is Hillsboro Worth It?
Hereโs my honest verdict: Hillsboro isnโt a slam dunk for savings. With a cost-of-living index of 106.6 and average rent at $1,776, youโll need a solid paycheck to thrive. The average salary of $70,471 doesnโt cut it comfortably, but if you land in marketingโspecifically as a manager earning around $160,740โthis 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 youโll likely need to hustle more for financial breathing room.
My advice? Donโt move here blind. Negotiate your salary with the cost-of-living index in mindโand make sure your rent budget includes a buffer for those inevitable price hikes.