Registered Nurse Salary

Eugene vs Tualatin: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare registered nurse salaries between Eugene, OR and Tualatin, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eugene, OR
$119,759
$57.57/hr
Tualatin, OR
$128,521
$61.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEugene, ORTualatin, OR
Median Salary$119,759$128,521
Hourly Rate$57.57$61.79
Entry Level (P10)$100,339$97,258
25th Percentile$111,028$109,256
75th Percentile$143,822$142,193
Top Earner (P90)$146,907$180,858
Total Employed3,5905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eugene ($119,759) and Tualatin ($128,521) registered nurse salaries.EugeneTualatinMedian Salary$119,759$128,521Entry Level (P10)$100,339$97,258Top Earner (P90)$146,907$180,858US Median $102,730

Verdict

Tualatin, OR offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Eugene.

The salary gap between Eugene and Tualatin is $8,762 (7.32%). Tualatin's median is +25.11% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eugene spans $46,568,Tualatin spans $83,600. Tualatin has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced registered nurses.

Eugene
P10 (Entry)$100,339
P25$111,028
Median$119,759
P75$143,822
P90 (Top)$146,907
Tualatin
P10 (Entry)$97,258
P25$109,256
Median$128,521
P75$142,193
P90 (Top)$180,858

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tualatin ($125,264 effective) pays 6.24% more than Eugene ($117,910 effective).

Eugene
Nominal: $119,759
CoL Index: 101.568
Adjusted: $117,910
Tualatin
Nominal: $128,521
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $125,264

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eugene if…

  • Larger job market (3,590 employed)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Tualatin if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,521/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($180,858)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,264)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Eugene grew 22.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in Tualatin over the same period.

Eugene, OR

+22.8%

$92,590 (2019) → $113,720 (2025)

Tualatin, OR

+11.5%

$109,413 (2024) → $122,041 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Eugene or Tualatin?

Tualatin has a higher median registered nurse salary at $128,521/year, compared to Eugene at $119,759/year — a difference of $8,762 (7.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eugene and Tualatin?

Eugene registered nurses earn $57.57/hr while Tualatin hygienists earn $61.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eugene to Tualatin as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eugene and Tualatin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eugene = $117,910, Tualatin = $125,264), job availability (3,590 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Eugene vs Tualatin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $100,339 in Eugene and $97,258 in Tualatin. The Eugene area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, RN, MSNData verified by Carlos Gomez, RN, DNP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% 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, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov