Oregon Travel Nurse Pay Guide (2026)
Oregon Travel Nurse Pay Guide (2026)
Oregon has quietly become one of the more competitive states for travel nursing in the Pacific Northwest. With a growing healthcare system anchored by Portland, a shortage of staff nurses across rural communities, and no state sales tax, Oregon offers a pay and lifestyle combination that keeps it on recruiters’ shortlists year-round.
This guide breaks down exactly what travel nurses earn in Oregon in 2026, how the state’s high income tax affects your take-home, what the licensing process looks like for a non-compact state, and which markets are generating the most assignments right now.
Oregon Travel Nurse Pay: 2026 Overview
Oregon travel nurse pay ranges meaningfully depending on specialty, location, and agency. Based on current market data as of March 2026, here is what the numbers look like across the board.
| Pay Metric | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broad market average (weekly gross) | $2,160 – $2,425 | Across all specialties, 36-hr week |
| High-demand specialty packages | $2,800 – $3,232 | ICU, OR, L&D, ER |
| Typical taxable weekly wage | ~$1,944 | Remainder is non-taxable stipend |
| Estimated weekly net (after taxes) | ~$2,573 | Based on $3,232 gross package scenario |
| Average hourly rate | ~$54/hr | Broad market average, all specialties |
How Oregon Pay Packages Are Structured
Like every state, Oregon travel nurse pay is divided into two components: a taxable hourly wage and non-taxable stipends covering housing and meals. Understanding how these work together matters because Oregon has one of the highest state income taxes in the country.
Oregon Income Tax: What Travel Nurses Need to Know
Oregon levies one of the steeper state income taxes in the country. For 2026, the brackets for single filers are: 4.75% up to $4,400; 6.75% from $4,400 to $11,050; 8.75% from $11,050 to $125,000; and 9.90% above $125,000. For most travel nurses, the effective marginal rate is 8.75%.
| Taxable Income (Single Filer) | Oregon State Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $4,400 | 4.75% |
| $4,400 – $11,050 | 6.75% |
| $11,050 – $125,000 | 8.75% |
| Above $125,000 | 9.90% |
Source: Oregon Department of Revenue, 2026 tax year brackets for single filers.
The silver lining: Oregon has no state sales tax. For deeper tax strategy, see our Travel Nurse Tax Strategy guide and Are Travel Nurse Stipends Really Tax-Free?
Oregon Is Not a Compact State
Oregon has not joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) as of 2026. If your home state is a compact member, your multistate license does not apply in Oregon. You must obtain a standalone Oregon RN license before your assignment begins.
Fees and exact timelines are available at oregon.gov/osbn.
Top Oregon Markets for Travel Nurses
Oregon assignments are concentrated in a handful of major health systems, with Portland generating the highest volume of postings.
Portland Metro
Portland is Oregon’s largest healthcare market. Top health systems actively employing travel nurses include OHSU, Providence Health System, and Legacy Health – with active assignments at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center and Legacy Silverton Medical Center among others.
Eugene
PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center is a consistent source of travel nursing assignments. The market is smaller than Portland but tends to be less competitive for housing.
Bend and Central Oregon
St. Charles Health System in Bend serves as the regional hub for Central Oregon. Assignments here are less frequent but offer a strong lifestyle tradeoff – Bend is one of the most desirable small cities in the Pacific Northwest for outdoor recreation.
Rural and Coastal Markets
Travel assignments exist in Hermiston, Lincoln City, and along the Oregon Coast, but volume is lower and postings can be more short-notice. These markets occasionally offer premium pay for nurses willing to take rural assignments.
Oregon Pay by Specialty
| Specialty | Estimated Weekly Package | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|
| ICU / Critical Care | $2,900 – $3,232+ | High |
| Operating Room | $2,376 – $3,100 | High |
| L&D / Mother-Baby | $2,700 – $3,100 | High |
| Emergency Room | $2,600 – $3,000 | High |
| Cath Lab / IR | $2,661 – $2,854 | Moderate-High |
| Telemetry / Step-Down | $2,200 – $2,700 | Moderate |
| Med-Surg | $2,160 – $2,500 | Moderate |
| Case Management / Home Health | $2,333 – $2,783 | Moderate |
Estimates based on active Oregon job postings from Aya Healthcare, KPG Healthcare, and Advantis Medical as of March 2026.
For national specialty comparisons, see our Highest Paying Travel Nurse Specialties: Complete 2026 Comparison.
Oregon Cost of Living: What Your Stipend Is Working Against
Portland is among the more expensive West Coast markets for housing. Outside Portland, Oregon becomes considerably more affordable. A $2,300/week package in Bend may net you a better financial outcome than a $2,600 package in Northwest Portland once you account for housing costs against your stipend. No state sales tax is a genuine advantage over a 13-week assignment.
Is Oregon Worth It for Travel Nurses?
Oregon is a solid assignment destination with clear tradeoffs. Pay packages are competitive for high-acuity specialties; the Pacific Northwest lifestyle is a genuine draw; and no sales tax offsets some income tax drag. The real considerations: 8.75% income tax on taxable wages is unavoidable, the non-compact status requires a standalone license with lead time, and Portland housing costs require careful planning.
For Pacific Northwest comparisons, see our Washington Travel Nurse Pay Guide and California Travel Nurse Pay Guide.
Quick Reference: Oregon Travel Nursing Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Compact state? | No – standalone Oregon RN license required |
| Licensing body | Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN) |
| State income tax (typical rate) | 8.75% marginal (on taxable wages) |
| State sales tax | None |
| Average weekly package | $2,160 – $2,425 |
| High-demand specialty range | $2,800 – $3,232+ |
| Top health systems | OHSU, Providence, Legacy Health, PeaceHealth, St. Charles |
| Primary markets | Portland, Eugene, Bend, Hermiston, Lincoln City |
References
Salary & Pay Data
Advantis Medical, Oregon travel nurse market data – March 2026
Aya Healthcare, active Oregon RN job postings – March 2026
KPG Healthcare, Portland OR travel nurse postings – March 2026
Tax Information
Oregon Department of Revenue, 2026 personal income tax brackets – oregon.gov/dor
Licensing
Oregon Center for Nursing, compact status statement – 2023
NCSBN, NLC member state list – verified March 2026
Oregon State Board of Nursing – oregon.gov/osbn
Methodology
Weekly package figures represent combined taxable wages and non-taxable stipends for qualified candidates. Last updated: March 2026.