Portland News

Top-paying Restaurant Jobs in Portland, Oregon

Antania Joins Suicide Commando in Portland, October 17, 2025

Antania Joins Suicide Commando in Portland, October 17, 2025

By: Elena Mart On a dark and gloomy night in Portland, OR, I found my way to the Coffin Club. The Coffin Club is a goth, industrial, and horror-themed bar and music venue located at 421 SE Grand Ave in Portland. It is an LGBTQ-friendly establishment that formerly operated

Portland Coworking Spaces Struggle as Hybrid Work Stabilizes

Portland Coworking Spaces Struggle as Hybrid Work Stabilizes

Portland coworking spaces are facing a slowdown as hybrid work settles into a more predictable rhythm. What once felt like a booming solution for remote workers and small businesses is now being reexamined. The shift hasn’t been dramatic or sudden, but it’s noticeable. Fewer people are seeking shared desks,

Portland's Push for Better Public Transportation and Infrastructure

Portland’s Push for Better Public Transportation and Infrastructure

Portland public transportation has always been a topic that sparks strong opinions. Some residents swear by the light rail and bus system, while others feel stuck in traffic, wondering why things haven’t improved faster. The city’s push for better infrastructure isn’t just about adding more buses or fixing potholes.

Portland's Dance Culture Influencing the City's Artistic Identity

Portland’s Dance Culture: Influencing the City’s Artistic Identity

Portland dance culture is a living expression of the city’s creative pulse. It reflects the values of experimentation, inclusivity, and community engagement that define Portland’s broader artistic identity. From contemporary studios in the Pearl District to spontaneous street performances in Alberta, dance in Portland is both a personal and

Digital Literacy Training Helping Portland Seniors Stay Connected

Digital Literacy Training Helping Portland Seniors Stay Connected

Digital literacy training is quietly transforming how Portland’s senior residents engage with the world. From video calls with grandkids to navigating online banking, these workshops are helping older adults build confidence and stay connected. While tech can feel overwhelming, especially for those who didn’t grow up with smartphones or

In a city as bustling as Portland, Oregon there are fewer jobs as widespread as restaurant jobs. Restaurants are always going to need staff as long as there are people who want to eat at restaurants, whether they’re planning on eating at home or with other people. Additionally, there are a wide variety of restaurant jobs out there, including everything from waiting tables to cooking food to managing the business itself. Restaurant jobs in Portland are widespread and the industry is expected to grow in the coming years.

If you’re interested in working in a restaurant, you probably already know that you’re good with people, good at cooking, or good at managing other people, depending on the job that you’re angling for. The specific job that you’re planning to get may actively look at your skills, qualifications, and experience, and it’s important that you update your resume so that they’re looking at the most recent information regarding your skills and history. Construct your resume with a resume builder so that it’s easy to personalize the resume to every individual restaurant job you apply to.

The application process for a restaurant job in Portland doesn’t have to be difficult. Before you start, here’s some salary information about the best-paying jobs in Portland for restaurant workers.

Top-paying Restaurant Jobs To Consider

The top-paying jobs at any given restaurant tend to be those that aren’t directly on the floor. However, because servers typically make tips, servers can make quite a bit of money as well. Here are a few of the restaurant jobs that you might want to take in Portland, Oregon:

  • Restaurant server: $12,000-$36,000
  • Line cook: $20,000-$40,000
  • Head chef: $65,000-$92,000
  • Restaurant manager: $37,000-$96,000

Salaries in the restaurant industry can vary significantly, as it’s extremely common for different restaurants to have different needs when it comes to paying their employees. A high-end restaurant will also usually pay its employees more than a fast-food restaurant or restaurant chain. Additionally, some jobs may require more education and experience than others. A line cook typically doesn’t need to have professional culinary education, while a head chef typically will.

Additionally, many jobs are generally related to restaurants but may not require you to be in the building every day. These jobs may be helpful if you’re interested in the restaurant industry, but you aren’t interested in working directly at a restaurant. Here are a few examples:

  • Food & beverage director: $69,000-$140,000
  • Marketing director: $55,000-$160,000
  • Graphic designer: $46,000-$74,000
  • Strategic marketing consultant: $48,000-$94,000

These individuals can all use their skills in unique ways to create a better user experience for people who come to the restaurant. It’s important to remember that a restaurant is made up of many different individuals working together, and even if you’re not serving food, you may still be a critically important part of the restaurant’s success.

Applying for the Job You Deserve

If you’ve decided to apply for a specific restaurant job, the first step should be to look through the job description and take note of any requirements. If you’re planning to come in as a server, there likely won’t be any requirements. Servers are typically entry-level jobs, and the most that a company might request will typically be that you have your food handler’s license. Only apply to jobs you’re qualified for so that you cut down on unnecessary work.

The skills that you’ve spent years developing deserve compensation that makes sense. You deserve payment for your qualifications, and these salaries can be very high when you’ve been working for a long time. Use these pointers to negotiate your salary when you finally get the job offer and the hiring manager asks you what your ideal salary is.

This article features branded content from a third party. Opinions in this article do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Portland News.