Oregon implemented a new three-tier minimum wage on July 1, 2020, and the tiers vary by geography. From July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 the highest wage is $14.75 per hour within the Portl​and urban growth boundary, a standard rate of $13.50 per hour in other areas of the state, and a rate of $12.50 per hour in designated nonurban counties mostly in eastern and southwestern Oregon. Starting in 2023, Oregon’s minimum wage will be adjusted annually according to the increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index. 

Although Oregon’s minimum wage is higher than most other states, private-sector workers in Oregon tend to work slightly fewer hours per week and their average wage earnings are below the national level. Workers in Oregon earned an average of $1,017 weekly in 2021, which is below the national average of $1,062 per week.​

Oregon workers (excluding self-employed and most agricultural workers) earned an annual average of $64,018 in 2021, although wages vary widely by industry and occupation. The average annual pay in the information industry was $113,955, the most of any broad sector. This was followed by professional and business services ($88,684), financial activities ($86,091), federal government ($85,961), and manufacturing ($78,432). The lowest average wage was in leisure and hospitality, where pay averaged $27,054 per year. 

Of course, the average wage for an industry does not reveal how many low- or high-wage jobs are in an industry. Nearly one-fifth of Oregon’s jobs paid an average wage of less than $15 per hour in 2021 and about one-quarter were between $15 and $20 per hour. The remaining 55% of jobs paid at least $20 per hour.