The 10 Best Jobs In Oregon For 2026 College Grads

The 10 Best Jobs in Oregon for 2026 College Graduates

As you approach your college graduation, you might be asking yourself—what’s next?

For many graduates, the immediate goal is to secure a job. However, with the evolving job market, it’s essential to find a position that not only pays the bills but also aligns with your career aspirations. In light of recent labor market trends and data, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best jobs for 2026 college graduates in Oregon.

You may be surprised to see web developers topping the list. Stay tuned to discover how we selected these careers and why they stand out in today’s job market.

How We Determined the Best Entry-Level Jobs in Oregon

We’ve engaged with numerous college graduates to gain insight into their priorities when searching for their first job. Based on these discussions, their preferences typically rank as follows:

Job availability
Location
Salary
Growth potential
Work-life balance

Fortunately, various reliable data sources provide insights on each of these criteria. The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers information on salary by location, state labor departments compile job growth forecasts, and ONet Online provides job requirements and descriptions.

By aggregating data from these sources, we created a comprehensive database of professions. The criteria we focused on include:

Location quotient: A measure of how prevalent a job is in Oregon.
Only positions requiring a college degree.
Average annual entry-level salary.
Projected industry growth over the next decade.

We filtered our dataset to include only jobs that require a bachelor’s degree, resulting in 30 professions to evaluate. Each job was ranked according to our criteria from 1 to 30, with 1 being the most favorable.

Next, we calculated an overall “Job Score” by averaging the rankings for each position and ranked these scores accordingly.

One Job, Please

Graduating from college can be both daunting and exhilarating. With countless opportunities ahead—whether you choose to dive into the workforce or explore other passions—this list aims to guide you through the job market landscape in Oregon.

Below is an in-depth look at the best jobs for 2026 college graduates in the Beaver State.

Detailed List of the Best Entry-Level Jobs in Oregon for 2026 College Grads

Rank	Job	Growth %	Entry Wage	Jobs in 2026
1	Web Developers	42.23%	$34,370	4,850
2	Industrial Engineers	20.79%	$64,850	4,300
3	Cost Estimators	21.72%	$32,980	4,540
4	Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors	23.28%	$29,280	1,430
5	Computer Systems Analysts	28.18%	$54,730	6,550
6	Sales Engineers	15.46%	$66,320	1,120
7	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists	14.35%	$43,820	2,470
8	Forest and Conservation Workers	15.75%	$24,580	2,940
9	Management Analysts	17.65%	$51,030	7,400
10	Interior Designers	16.07%	$29,690	1,300
11	Self-Enrichment Education Teachers	20.95%	$22,200	3,580
12	Database Administrators	18.26%	$49,100	1,360
13	Social and Human Service Assistants	17.32%	$21,820	8,130
14	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	16.85%	$32,870	5,410
15	Residential Advisors	23.3%	$19,590	1,270
16	Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	17.74%	$28,190	1,460
17	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	12.17%	$52,040	2,120
18	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	15.83%	$32,660	3,220
19	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	14.47%	$39,540	4,430
20	Rehabilitation Counselors	12.99%	$23,480	2,000
21	Human Resources Specialists	10.76%	$33,530	6,380
22	Clergy	6.32%	$20,020	4,540
23	Computer Network Support Specialists	12.92%	$35,670	2,010
24	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians	17.42%	$27,590	1,550
25	Computer Programmers	3.24%	$43,900	3,190
26	Insurance Sales Agents	11.82%	$29,070	5,580
27	Coaches and Scouts	12.87%	$19,500	3,770
28	Directors, Religious Activities and Education	5.63%	$19,470	1,690
29	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	9.6%	$32,530	1,370
30	Advertising Sales Agents	-5.67%	$21,230	1,330

In summary, as you embark on your career journey, consider the diverse opportunities available in Oregon. From tech-focused roles like web developers to impactful positions in health and counseling, the job market is ripe with potential. Stay proactive, and leverage this list as a resource to navigate your first steps into the professional world.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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