Teacher Salary

Beaverton vs Portland: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Beaverton, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beaverton, OR
$74,820
$35.97/hr
Portland, OR
$83,137
$39.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeaverton, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$74,820$83,137
Hourly Rate$35.97$39.97
Entry Level (P10)$53,868$50,763
25th Percentile$65,268$64,042
75th Percentile$94,313$105,292
Top Earner (P90)$115,971$108,705
Total Employed147,530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beaverton ($74,820) and Portland ($83,137) elementary school teacher salaries.BeavertonPortlandMedian Salary$74,820$83,137Entry Level (P10)$53,868$50,763Top Earner (P90)$115,971$108,705US Median $64,597

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Beaverton.

The salary gap between Beaverton and Portland is $8,317 (11.12%). Portland's median is +28.70% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beaverton spans $62,103,Portland spans $57,942. Beaverton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Beaverton
P10 (Entry)$53,868
P25$65,268
Median$74,820
P75$94,313
P90 (Top)$115,971
Portland
P10 (Entry)$50,763
P25$64,042
Median$83,137
P75$105,292
P90 (Top)$108,705

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($78,862 effective) pays 8.14% more than Beaverton ($72,924 effective).

Beaverton
Nominal: $74,820
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $72,924
Portland
Nominal: $83,137
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $78,862

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beaverton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,971)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,137/year)
  • Larger job market (7,530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,862)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Beaverton grew -6.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.8% growth in Portland over the same period.

Beaverton, OR

+-6.9%

$79,554 (2024) → $74,094 (2025)

Portland, OR

+11.8%

$73,640 (2019) → $82,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Beaverton or Portland?

Portland has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $83,137/year, compared to Beaverton at $74,820/year — a difference of $8,317 (11.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beaverton and Portland?

Beaverton elementary school teachers earn $35.97/hr while Portland hygienists earn $39.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beaverton to Portland as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beaverton and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beaverton = $72,924, Portland = $78,862), job availability (14 vs 7,530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Beaverton vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $53,868 in Beaverton and $50,763 in Portland. The Beaverton area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov