Portland averages 33.4 applicants per job across 9,013 open positions from 1,895 employers.
Software Engineer leads with 76 applicants per job—2.8× higher than the least competitive roles
Portland's most competitive positions are concentrated in technology roles. Our analysis of 9,013 LinkedIn job postings shows Software Engineer as the hardest role to land, with 76 applicants competing for each of just 107 openings. That's 2.8× more competitive than Attorney roles and 128% above Portland's average of 33.4 applicants per job.
Hardest to land — polish your resume
375+ openings across skilled trades roles with just 27-25 applicants per job
Better odds — still need a great resume
Skilled trades roles dominate Portland's least competitive job categories. Attorney positions have just 27 applicants per opening across 56 available jobs—2.8× easier to land than Software Engineer roles and 19% below Portland's average competition of 33.4 applicants.
Nurse leads with 492 openings at 25 applicants per job | Software Engineer is hardest to land at 76 applicants | Attorney easiest at 27
Our analysis of 9,013 LinkedIn job postings reveals significant variation in competition across Portland's 19 major job categories. Nurse offers the most opportunity with 492 open positions, but faces 25 applicants per role. Meanwhile, Software Engineer is the hardest role to land in Portland with 76 applicants competing for just 107 openings.
Of all 19 job titles analyzed, 1 roles are highly competitive (70+ applicants) accounting for 107 jobs, while 15 roles have below-average competition (under 40 applicants) with 1,694 combined openings. The competition gap in Portland is stark: Software Engineer averages 76 applicants while Attorney sees just 27—a 2.8× difference.
Oregon Health & Science University leads with 433 jobs (4.8% of market) | Affirm hardest at 60 applicants | Providence easiest at 25
Oregon Health & Science University dominates Portland's job market with 433 open positions—4.8% of all jobs in the metro area—at 36 applicants per role. Legacy Health follows with 244 positions at 29 applicants each. The top 10 employers alone account for 1,872 jobs—21% of Portland's market.
Competition varies dramatically by employer. Affirm is the hardest place to get hired in Portland with 60 applicants per job, while Providence offers better odds at just 25 applicants. Of 14 major employers analyzed, 0 have high competition (70+ applicants) and 13 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
Browse 8 industries hiring across the Portland metro area
Data compiled by ResumeTarget.com from 9,013 LinkedIn job postings in the Portland metro area. Updated Dec 2, 2025.
Oregon Health & Science University, Legacy Health, and 8 other employers with 2,372 open positions
The Healthcare sector in Portland currently has 2,372 open positions across 10 employers in Portland. With an average of 29 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Portland's overall market average of 33.4.
Jacobs, Jerry, and 8 other employers with 811 open positions
The Technology sector in Portland currently has 811 open positions across 10 employers in Portland. With an average of 46 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Portland's overall market average of 33.4.
Gee Automotive Companies, O'Reilly Auto Parts, and 8 other employers with 539 open positions
The Retail sector in Portland currently has 539 open positions across 10 employers in Portland. With an average of 43 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Portland's overall market average of 33.4.
NuScale Power, HDR, and 8 other employers with 487 open positions
The Manufacturing sector in Portland currently has 487 open positions across 10 employers in Portland. With an average of 39 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Portland's overall market average of 33.4.
HDR, Lease Crutcher Lewis, and 8 other employers with 459 open positions
The Construction sector in Portland currently has 459 open positions across 10 employers in Portland. With an average of 37 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Portland's overall market average of 33.4.
KPMG US, Affirm, and 8 other employers with 429 open positions
The Banking & Finance sector in Portland currently has 429 open positions across 10 employers in Portland. With an average of 42 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Portland's overall market average of 33.4.
Deloitte, PwC, and 1 other employers with 386 open positions
The Accounting sector in Portland currently has 386 open positions across 3 employers in Portland. With an average of 26 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Portland's overall market average of 33.4.
Panda Restaurant Group, McDonald's, and 8 other employers with 357 open positions
The Hospitality sector in Portland currently has 357 open positions across 10 employers in Portland. With an average of 31 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Portland's overall market average of 33.4.
Health Care Provider leads with 1,937 jobs (21% of market) at 26 applicants | Education and Training easiest to break into at 25 applicants
Health Care Provider dominates Portland's job market with 1,937 open positions—21% of all jobs—at 26 applicants per role. Management and Manufacturing follows with 1,263 positions at 30 applicants each. The top 3 functions account for 3,917 jobs—43% of Portland's entire job market.
Competition varies significantly by function. Marketing and Sales is the most competitive category in Portland with 60 applicants per job, while Education and Training offers the best odds at just 25 applicants—a 35-applicant difference. Of 17 functions analyzed, 0 are highly competitive (70+ applicants) and 10 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
How does Portland's job competition compare to Pacific Northwest rivals?
Head-to-head job market comparison
Portland has 31% less competition overall than Seattle. Portland wins on most role comparisons.
See full Seattle job market data →Ranked by competition level (lower = easier)
Portland ranks #1 of 5 for easiest job market in Pacific Northwest. The best market for job seekers in this region.
Competition changes from other cities
Competition data based on 9,013 active job postings in Portland.
Portland averages 33.4 applicants per job across 9,013 open positions. Software Engineer is hardest at 76 applicants; Attorney is easiest at 27.
Software Engineer (76 applicants per job). These roles see 2.8× more competition than healthcare positions.
Attorney (27 applicants per job, 56 openings), Maintenance Technician (27), and Mechanic (26).
Oregon Health & Science University leads with 433 jobs, followed by Legacy Health (244) and EY (199). 1,895 companies are actively hiring.
9,013 open positions across 1,895 employers. Data from LinkedIn, updated Dec 2, 2025.
Healthcare (2,372 jobs), Technology (811), and Retail (539).
ResumeTarget.com compiled and analyzed 9,013 full-time job postings from LinkedIn across the Portland-metro area to calculate competition levels by job title, industry, employer, and job function.
Competition is measured by the average number of applicants per job posting. Roles with 70+ applicants are classified as highly competitive, 40-69 as moderately competitive, and under 40 as less competitive.
With 33.4 applicants per job, you need a resume that immediately proves you're the top candidate. Our writers conduct 1-on-1 interviews to uncover your unique achievements and create ATS-optimized resumes that get noticed.
