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Highway Maintenance Workers Salary in Oregon: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Highway Maintenance Workers salary really buy you in Oregon?

Oregon is 6.6% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$65,330
Median annual (2025)
-6.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$61,285
COL-adjusted (RPP=106.6)

Oregon Cost of Living Index

Oregon's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 106.6, meaning prices are 6.6% higher the national average. A Highway Maintenance Workers earning $65,330 in Oregon has the equivalent purchasing power of $61,285 in an average-cost US state.

OR: 106.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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) $50,810 $47,664 $-3,145
25th Percentile (P25) $58,200 $54,596 $-3,603
Median (P50) $65,330 $61,285 $-4,044
75th Percentile (P75) $70,320 $65,966 $-4,353
90th Percentile (P90) $70,320 $65,966 $-4,353
Key Insight

While $65,330 sounds high, Oregon's elevated cost of living erases 6% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $61,285. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Oregon Is a High-Cost State

RPP 106.6

Oregon's RPP of 106.6 puts it 6.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Highway Maintenance Workers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-6.2%

After applying Oregon's RPP, the $65,330 median salary translates to $61,285 in real terms — a 6.2% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Highway Maintenance Workers.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Oregon

#6 / 49

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Highway Maintenance Workers, Oregon places #6 of 49 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Highway Maintenance Workers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Highway Maintenance Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$68,354
RPP 88.7
2. Montana
$67,508
RPP 90.3
3. Iowa
$66,165
RPP 88.4
$64,636
RPP 97.7
$62,838
RPP 92.3
6. Oregon
$61,285
RPP 106.6
$60,968
RPP 106.4
$60,908
RPP 101.3
$59,471
RPP 109.8
10. Utah
$59,227
RPP 94.5

Oregon ranks #6 out of 49 states for Highway Maintenance Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Highway Maintenance Workers take-home pay in Oregon after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Highway Maintenance Workers in Oregon after cost of living?

A Highway Maintenance Workers in Oregon earns a median salary of $65,330 per year. After adjusting for Oregon's cost of living (RPP=106.6), the real purchasing power is $61,285 — a -6.2% difference.

Is Oregon expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Highway Maintenance Workers in Oregon: $65,330 x (100 / 106.6) = $61,285. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Oregon offset the salary?

Partially — a Highway Maintenance Workers's nominal salary of $65,330 in Oregon has 6.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $61,285. However, Oregon may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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