Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Ship Engineers 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 Ship Engineers earning $88,800 in Oregon has the equivalent purchasing power of $83,302 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) | $57,180 | $53,639 | $-3,540 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $87,820 | $82,382 | $-5,437 |
| Median (P50) | $88,800 | $83,302 | $-5,497 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $113,530 | $106,500 | $-7,029 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $168,360 | $157,936 | $-10,423 |
While $88,800 sounds high, Oregon's elevated cost of living erases 6% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $83,302. 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 Ship Engineers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Oregon's RPP, the $88,800 median salary translates to $83,302 in real terms — a 6.2% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Ship Engineers.
Oregon ranks #21 of 24 — bottom quartile for Ship Engineers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Ship Engineers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Oregon ranks #21 out of 24 states for Ship Engineers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Ship Engineers take-home pay in Oregon after taxes →
A Ship Engineers in Oregon earns a median salary of $88,800 per year. After adjusting for Oregon's cost of living (RPP=106.6), the real purchasing power is $83,302 — 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 Ship Engineers in Oregon: $88,800 x (100 / 106.6) = $83,302. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Ship Engineers's nominal salary of $88,800 in Oregon has 6.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $83,302. However, Oregon may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.