Salaries in Medford, OR

Here’s the thing about Medford in 2026: you can make a six-figure salary and still feel like you're living a middle-class life. It’s not a glitch; it’s the math of a mid-sized city with a surprisingly modest cost of living.

Let’s talk purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 103.3, Medford is about 3% pricier than the national average. But that’s not the whole story. A median household income of $66,186 goes a lot further here than it would in Portland or Seattle. That $1,062 monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is the key. It means your paycheck isn’t immediately vaporized by housing, which is a luxury in 2026. You’re not getting a steal, but you’re certainly not getting gouged.

So who’s actually earning the big money? The top-paying jobs are a mix of the expected and the surprising. Tech is here, with software developers earning a COL-adjusted $124,413. Healthcare is huge, especially for pharmacists ($132,987). But the real king is marketing, with managers pulling in a top-tier $154,095. This isn't a city built on one industry. You’ve got Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center and Providence Health as massive employers, but also a solid construction and project management scene fueling the region’s growth.

Here’s my honest take, though: the wage growth for the average worker isn’t setting the world on fire. The average salary across all roles is $70,147. That’s a decent living, but with inflation, you have to wonder if it’s keeping pace. For someone with a bachelor’s degree (only 26.1% of the population has one), you’re in a smaller, more valuable pool. You can thrive here if you’re in one of those top-tier professions. If you’re not, it’s a comfortable, but not luxurious, place to be.

The data below breaks down exactly what those top jobs pay, both raw and adjusted for what it costs to live here.