As the most populous city in Oregon, Portland consistently rates among the best places to live due to its strong economy, quality of life and pleasant weather. Along with the city's positive job market, Portland also has a reputation for being environmentally friendly with miles of walking and bicycling paths and an extensive public transportation network.
Top Industries in Portland
Portland has a variety of successful industries, including:
- Professional and business services
- Education
- Health services
- Trade
- Transportation
- Construction and manufacturing
Within these top-performing industries are Portland's biggest companies, such as:
- Xerox
- Boeing
- Columbia Sports Wear
- Nike
- Intel
- Daimler Trucks
Some of the highest-paying vocational careers in Portland include:
- Web developer
- Pharmacy technician
- Medical assistant
- Electrician
- CDL Truck Driver
Why Is Portland Good for Trade and Vocational Students?
Oregon offers many grants and scholarships for students attending vocational schools in Portland. These grants and scholarships are based on need as well as academic achievement, with the largest grant program is the Oregon Opportunity Grant.
Trade schools in Portland include:
Portland Community College offers a range of technical degree programs and certificate programs as varied as computer science, electronic engineering technology and medical assisting. The school also offers apprenticeship programs in industrial trades, electrical trades and construction trades.
Sumner College focuses on degree programs and certificate programs in the health care industry including nursing and medical assisting.
Caregiver Training Institute has certificate programs for nursing aides and certified nursing assistants. The school also offers training for medication aides.
Portland offers career opportunities and high quality of life to students with a degree or certificate from technical schools in Portland.
Read more on our site about learning a trade and how vocational or technical training could be the right career choice.
Learn More about Portland
Demographics | Total Population | 639,387 |
Education and Earnings | # Enrolled in College | 41,066 |
| Median Earnings Without High School Degree | $23,994 | |
| Median Earnings With High School Degree | $28,715 | |
| Median Earnings With Associate Degree | $31,732 |
Commute | Average Commute Time | 26 minutes |
| % Commutes by Walking | 5.6% | |
| % Commutes by Bicycle | 6.3% | |
| % Commutes by Public Transportation | 12.6% |
Housing | Median Housing Cost | $1,365 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,187 | |
| Median House Value | $383,600 |