AI Classes & Bootcamps Portland

Artificial intelligence knowledge and skills are in high demand in Portland. Portland is located within the “Silicon Forest, ” a nickname given to the grouping of technology companies in the greater Portland metropolitan area. The Silicon Forest contains more than just Portland, as it sometimes stretches as far south as Bend and Corvallis and often includes Vancouver, Washington, which is located just over the border. Currently, there are about 6,000 tech companies and startups in Oregon, most of which are located in or near Portland in Northwest Oregon.

Portland has proven to be a good climate for tech startups, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and even high-tech manufacturing. According to a recent CBRE Tech-30 report, Portland’s high-tech software and tech services workforce grew by 10% in the last few years. Optimism among the tech companies in the area also remains high, as 67% of area leaders expect revenue growth in the coming year, according to the Silicon Forest Tech Trends Report. The city is well-situated to receive a strong talent pool, drawing from its many research universities and institutions and other hubs like Seattle or San Francisco due to its comparatively lower cost of living.

Best Industries for AI in Portland

The technology industry is the number one industry for individuals with AI skills in the Portland area. This industry is diverse and growing in Portland. Portland already has a strong footing in cloud computing and software and hardware design and continues to foster the development of new tech startups focusing on a variety of AI-related concerns ranging from digital marketing and data storage to developing new vacation rental platforms.

Hardware manufacturing is another key part of the AI sector in the area. The region is known as a high-tech hub that manufactures the semiconductors and hardware that undergird AI development. Someone with training in AI algorithms, machine learning, deep learning, and neural language networks will not necessarily work in this part of the AI sector, though manufacturers throughout the country are incorporating smart manufacturing processes for efficient, safe operations and predictive maintenance.

Other important industries that utilize AI in Portland include healthcare and retail. Portland’s healthcare industry is bolstered by university research labs and biotech companies. Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is the region's premier research institute, and biotech companies in the area focus on varied interests such as developing biopharmaceutics or creating new medical devices. In retail, Adidas' North American headquarters are in Portland, and Nike's are in nearby Beaverton, making the region particularly important for sports retail operations. These are companies that, like many retailers, are looking to use data analytics, machine learning, and AI technologies to remain competitive and improve their decision-making abilities.

AI Careers & Salaries in Portland

• Data Scientist: Becoming a Data Scientist is in-demand around the country, and the career prospects for those in this profession are particularly strong in Portland. Those with data science training use their ability to gather and analyze data to solve problems for the companies they work for, and using machine learning algorithms to predict outcomes is a key part of this work. The average salary for this profession in Portland is $120,000 per year, according to Nucamp. This salary can range from a low of around $77,000 to $159,000 at the higher end for more experienced Data Scientists.
• Machine Learning Engineer: Machine Learning and AI Engineer roles in Portland are another area for growth. Machine Learning Engineers focus specifically on designing and testing machine learning models, which can make predictions and aid a company’s ability to make data-driven decisions. In Portland, the average salary for a Machine Learning Engineer is $148,000 per year. As a more specialized AI profession, the salary range for Machine Learning Engineers in Portland starts at around $117,000 and can go as high as $217,000, according to Indeed.
• Cybersecurity Analyst: Cybersecurity Analysts are tasked with monitoring their client’s digital systems and networks for security threats and taking steps to defend against potential threats. Training for this role is increasingly incorporating AI technologies as a way to enhance this professional’s ability to do things like detecting issues in code or prioritizing threats. Cybersecurity Analysts in Portland have a yearly salary of around $99,000, according to Indeed. The salary for this profession can range from $86,000 to $113,000, depending on an individual’s education, experience, and specialization.
• AI Researcher: Given the number of tech companies and research institutions in Portland, it makes sense that an AI Researcher is a top career choice. AI Researchers are responsible for developing and innovating AI technologies. This can incorporate a wide range of different tasks, as some AI Researchers will be working with machine learning algorithms while others might be studying how machines can learn to see more like humans. AI Researchers in Portland earn an average annual salary of $155,000, according to Glassdoor. This average includes any bonuses or additional pay, and one’s salary for this role can range from $120,000 to $203,000 in the Portland area.

Top Portland AI Employers & Companies

Portland offers diverse career opportunities for those with AI training. These include working on the research and engineering side of developing new AI technologies and using existing technologies to help companies make more informed business decisions or protect their networks from security breaches. Individuals in Portland can find themselves working for internationally known companies as well as small, local tech startups, both of which furnish opportunities for those just starting in their careers and those further along in their professions.

• Intel: Intel has approximately 22,000 employees working across its four research campuses in nearby Hillsboro. Intel’s Portland-area workforce is dedicated to research and development for the company. This tech company will need employees who know the latest in AI research so that they can help Intel develop new ways to incorporate AI as an emerging set of technologies and new strategies to grow their business.
• Nike: Nike’s world headquarters is located near Portland in Beaverton. This is another large, global employer who is looking to hire those with AI experience and training. As a retail company, Nike needs a workforce that knows how to analyze its data to develop better business and marketing strategies.
• Google: Though not headquartered in Portland, Google has a local office and hires in Portland. As one of the largest tech companies in the world, Google has an active interest in continuing to pioneer new AI technologies and new ways to integrate AI into their existing products. They regularly have job openings for AI research, development, and engineering roles in the Portland area for those with AI training.
• Local startups: Portland is a startup—and innovation-friendly area, so many of the companies hiring those with AI training might be smaller and local to Northwest Oregon. One such startup is Vacasa, a vacation rental management platform. This is the kind of company that has a platform that likely needs AI Researchers or developers to maintain or design. Exterro, a data risk management platform, is another example of a local startup needing individuals with AI training.

AI Trends & Outlook in Portland

With the current growth in Portland’s AI sectors, the future for those with AI skills looks strong in Northwest Oregon. According to a recent trend report by the Oregon Employment Department, tech industry careers are expected to continue to grow at a fast rate in Oregon. Data Scientist roles have the fastest growth rate at 34%, followed closely behind by Information Security Analysts and Software Developers. While AI training skills are a natural fit for data science and analytics roles, Software Developers will usually need additional training in coding and software design. Portland is also projected to keep growing as a hub for new tech startups, according to Nucamp, as these companies draw on the region’s tech industry talent to fuel growth and innovation.