AI Performance Benchmarker.
Portland.
$139,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$106,000 to $177,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
AI Performance Benchmarker pay in Portland ranges from $106,000 to $177,000 in 2026. The median is $139,000, 5% above the national average. Portland's tech scene is anchored by Intel's semiconductor campus and a strong cluster of sportswear and creative companies including Nike and Adidas. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $125,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$90,000
to $111,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$118,000
to $146,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$153,000
to $181,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$174,000
to $215,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $68,000 to the total package.
Base
$139,000
Equity
$42,000
Bonus
$18,000
Signing
$8,000
Estimated total: $207,000
How Portland compares
Portland, OR
$139,000
Cost of living: 10% above average
National Average
$132,000
Portland is $7,000 above
AI Performance Benchmarker salary by city
Salary by role in Portland
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI Performance Benchmarker offer in Portland, understand the terrain. Portland's tech scene is anchored by Intel's semiconductor campus and a strong cluster of sportswear and creative companies including Nike and Adidas. The city attracts professionals who value work life balance and sustainability. Salaries are moderate compared to Seattle, but the lower cost of living makes Portland a solid value proposition. Compensation reflects expertise in designing, running, and interpreting AI benchmark suites. Engineers who can create fair and meaningful evaluations for model capabilities, hardware performance, and system throughput earn premiums. Experience with both academic benchmarks and production workload profiling is highly valued. Statistical rigor in result analysis and reporting is essential.
Junior benchmarking engineers start at $85,000 to $105,000. Mid-level engineers designing benchmark suites reach $125,000 to $150,000. Senior engineers leading benchmarking programs earn $155,000 to $190,000. Directors of AI performance evaluation at hardware or model companies can reach $210,000 to $260,000. In Portland, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at AI hardware or model companies adds $15,000 to $55,000 annually. Bonuses of 10% to 15% are standard. Access to cutting-edge hardware for testing is a significant perk. Conference travel and publication budgets support career development and industry visibility. And on the tax side: oregon has no sales tax, but state income tax rates climb to 9.9%. Portland adds a local arts tax and metro supportive housing tax. Factor these into your net pay calculations. When someone quotes you $139,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight your willingness to work hybrid in Portland's tech campuses. Intel, Nike, and other major employers reward in person collaboration with higher compensation bands. The range for AI Performance Benchmarkers in Portland runs from $106,000 to $177,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI/ML Data Analyst in Portland earns $140,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Portland is Distinguished Engineer at $370,000
Common questions.
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