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What does a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary really buy you in Oregon?
Oregon is 6.6% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Oregon's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 106.6, meaning prices are 6.6% higher the national average. A Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earning $98,110 in Oregon has the equivalent purchasing power of $92,035 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Oregon's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $66,490 | $62,373 | $-4,116 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $80,400 | $75,422 | $-4,977 |
| Median (P50) | $98,110 | $92,035 | $-6,074 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $116,410 | $109,202 | $-7,207 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $140,400 | $131,707 | $-8,692 |
While $98,110 sounds high, Oregon's elevated cost of living erases 6% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $92,035. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Oregon's RPP of 106.6 puts it 6.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Oregon's RPP, the $98,110 median salary translates to $92,036 in real terms — a 6.2% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers.
Oregon sits at #25 of 50 states for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Oregon ranks #25 out of 50 states for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers take-home pay in Oregon after taxes →
A Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Oregon earns a median salary of $98,110 per year. After adjusting for Oregon's cost of living (RPP=106.6), the real purchasing power is $92,035 — a -6.2% difference.
Oregon's cost of living is 6.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Oregon is 106.6 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Oregon: $98,110 x (100 / 106.6) = $92,035. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers's nominal salary of $98,110 in Oregon has 6.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $92,035. However, Oregon may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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