H1B Jobs in Portland, Oregon: 2025 Tech & Semiconductor Guide
Portland, Oregon is home to a surprisingly strong tech and semiconductor ecosystem anchored by Intel's massive Hillsboro campus, the largest private employer in Oregon. Nike's Beaverton headquarters, semiconductor equipment companies, and a growing software startup scene make Portland one of the top mid-sized tech metros for H1B sponsorship. The metro files approximately 6,500 H1B LCA applications per year.
Top H1B Employers in Portland
- • Intel, Hillsboro Oregon campus, 800+ H1B filings, largest Oregon employer
- • Nike, Beaverton HQ, tech, data science, and design H1B
- • Daimler Trucks North America, Portland, automotive engineering
- • Precision Castparts, Portland, aerospace manufacturing
- • Lam Research, Tualatin, semiconductor equipment
- • KLA Corporation, Milpitas (Portland operations), semiconductor
- • Lattice Semiconductor, Hillsboro, FPGA design engineering
- • TriMet (Portland Transit), systems and IT engineering
- • Providence Health & Services, Portland, healthcare H1B
- • Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), research and clinical H1B
H1B Salary by Role in Portland
| Job Title | Median H1B Wage | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Semiconductor Engineer | $128,000 | $105,000–$165,000 |
| Software Engineer | $118,000 | $95,000–$155,000 |
| Equipment Engineer | $115,000 | $92,000–$148,000 |
| Data Scientist | $112,000 | $90,000–$148,000 |
| Aerospace Eng (PCC) | $102,000 | $82,000–$132,000 |
| Research Scientist | $88,000 | $70,000–$115,000 |
Most Common H1B Roles in Portland
- • Semiconductor/Process Engineer
- • Software Engineer
- • Equipment Engineer
- • Data Scientist
- • Aerospace Manufacturing Engineer
- • Research Scientist (OHSU)
- • Supply Chain Engineer (Nike)
- • Electrical Engineer
Tips for H1B Job Seekers in Portland
- → Intel Hillsboro is the primary H1B semiconductor employer in Oregon, process, yield, equipment, and SWE roles are most common
- → Nike Beaverton sponsors H1B for data scientists, software engineers, and supply chain analysts, global manufacturing data roles are growing
- → Lam Research and KLA in the Portland metro area sponsor semiconductor equipment engineers on H1B
- → OHSU is Oregon's academic medical center and sponsors H1B for medical researchers and clinical faculty
- → Oregon has no sales tax but does have state income tax, factor into compensation comparisons with Washington state
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top H1B employers in Portland Oregon?
Intel (Hillsboro), Nike (Beaverton), Lam Research, Lattice Semiconductor, Precision Castparts, and OHSU are the top H1B employers in the Portland metro. Semiconductor engineering dominates H1B volume.
What is the H1B salary in Portland Oregon?
The median H1B wage in Portland is approximately $118,000. Semiconductor engineers at Intel earn $105,000–$165,000. Software engineers earn $95,000–$155,000. Portland salaries are 10–20% below Seattle for equivalent roles, offset by slightly lower housing costs and no sales tax.
Does Intel sponsor H1B in Portland?
Yes. Intel's Hillsboro Oregon campus, encompassing five fab facilities and thousands of acres, is one of Intel's largest manufacturing sites and its primary H1B hiring location. Intel files 800+ H1B LCA applications annually, making it one of the top 10 H1B sponsors in the US.
Does Nike sponsor H1B visas?
Yes. Nike's Beaverton Oregon headquarters sponsors H1B for software engineers, data scientists, supply chain analysts, and digital product managers. Nike has significantly expanded its technology workforce and is an active H1B sponsor for tech talent.
How does Portland compare to Seattle for H1B workers?
Seattle has higher salaries and a denser tech ecosystem (Amazon, Microsoft) but higher cost of living. Portland has Intel and Nike as anchor employers, lower housing costs, a more relaxed culture, and is often less competitive for H1B candidates. Both cities have no sales tax at the state level (Oregon never had one; Washington State has no income tax).
DOL H-1B Filing Data for Portland, OR
Certified Labor Condition Application records from the US Department of Labor, broken out by occupation and by industry. Each page reports median offered wage, filing volume, and the employers sponsoring most in that category.
By industry