Public Health Officer.
Portland.
$86,000
median salary, 10% above the national average
$66,000 to $112,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
The median Public Health Officer salary in Portland is $86,000, 10% above the national average. Entry level starts near $66,000. Experienced professionals push past $112,000. Portland's tech scene is anchored by Intel's semiconductor campus and a strong cluster of sportswear and creative companies including Nike and Adidas. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Tap to place your salary
How Portland compares
Portland, OR
$86,000
Cost of living: 10% above average
National Average
$78,000
Portland is $8,000 above
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Public Health Officer roles in Portland, here is what you are walking into. 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. Degree level and jurisdictional scope are the primary drivers. MPH holders earn 15 to 25% more than bachelor's-level staff, and MD or DrPH credentials push salaries higher. Federal agencies (CDC, NIH) pay more than state or local health departments. Epidemiology and biostatistics specializations command premiums over general public health administration.
Entry-level public health analysts start at $60,000 to $70,000. Mid-level epidemiologists and program managers earn $78,000 to $102,000 after four to six years. Health department directors reach $110,000 to $150,000, with state health officers earning $140,000 to $200,000. 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. Federal public health officers receive GS-scale pay, locality adjustments, TSP retirement matching, and generous leave accrual. Commissioned Corps officers in the USPHS receive military-equivalent benefits including tax-free housing allowances and early retirement eligibility. 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 $86,000, 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 Public Health Officers in Portland runs from $66,000 to $112,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Portland
Negotiating in Portland
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.