Oregon Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Oregon Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Oregon
Oregon’s trade work tends to concentrate where people actually live and commute. Urban corridors generate steady service, retrofit, and infrastructure work, while rural projects are fewer but often longer-running. Navigating codes and inspections is part of the job here.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Oregon (from this table): Lineworker ($94,054)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $62,075 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $39,974 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Oregon.
- Most stable demand in Oregon: commercial HVAC/electrical/plumbing service and building maintenance for property portfolios.
- Best way to increase earnings: get into commercial service (controls, commissioning, troubleshooting) instead of staying stuck in lower-margin residential work.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($94,054) · CDL Truck Driver ($78,894) · AV Technician ($73,050)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Oregon
Demand is shaped most by population corridors (Portland–Salem–Eugene) where service demand grows as buildings age and systems get upgraded, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
Oregon pay tends to reward licensing and compliance knowledge, particularly in service trades supporting dense population corridors.
- Outlook: Stable (service & retrofit demand)
- What drives demand: population corridors (Portland–Salem–Eugene) where service demand grows as buildings age and systems get upgraded.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Oregon
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Oregon. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $28.25 | $1,130 | $4,898 | $58,783 |
| AV Technician | $35.12 | $1,405 | $6,088 | $73,050 |
| Carpenter | $27.49 | $1,099 | $4,765 | $57,179 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $37.93 | $1,517 | $6,575 | $78,894 |
| CNC Machinist | $26.00 | $1,040 | $4,507 | $54,080 |
| Construction | $27.60 | $1,104 | $4,784 | $57,408 |
| Concrete Finisher | $30.27 | $1,212 | $5,254 | $63,042 |
| Diesel Technician | $31.39 | $1,256 | $5,441 | $65,291 |
| Electrician | $33.21 | $1,328 | $5,756 | $69,077 |
| Heavy Equipment | $27.07 | $1,072 | $4,643 | $55,718 |
| HVAC Technician | $30.63 | $1,225 | $5,309 | $63,714 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $30.28 | $1,211 | $5,250 | $62,997 |
| Ironworker | $28.86 | $1,157 | $5,012 | $60,139 |
| Lineworker | $45.22 | $1,809 | $7,838 | $94,054 |
| Marine Mechanic | $31.28 | $1,251 | $5,420 | $65,052 |
| Mason | $29.40 | $1,176 | $5,096 | $61,152 |
| Plumber | $35.13 | $1,394 | $6,031 | $72,374 |
| Roofer | $26.15 | $1,046 | $4,533 | $54,392 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $27.70 | $1,098 | $4,759 | $57,112 |
| Welder | $26.54 | $1,054 | $4,567 | $54,798 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
Why Oregon Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Oregon’s trade demand is shaped by public infrastructure spending, commercial construction, utilities, and strict energy-efficiency and building standards. The state’s regulatory environment places a premium on licensed, well-trained tradespeople—particularly electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and sheet metal workers—creating stable, long-term demand for skilled labor.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Portland metro area: Commercial construction, public works, data centers, healthcare facilities, and multifamily housing drive consistent demand for licensed trades.
- Willamette Valley: Manufacturing, food processing, and utilities support maintenance and industrial trades.
- Central Oregon (Bend/Redmond): Rapid population growth fuels residential construction and HVAC demand.
- Coastal and rural regions: Infrastructure maintenance, utilities, and marine-related trades remain essential.
Major Employers and Contractors in Oregon
Oregon tradespeople often work with public agencies, utilities, and large regional contractors, including:
- Skanska USA (Oregon operations) — Major commercial and public infrastructure projects.
- Hoffman Construction — Portland-based contractor involved in healthcare, institutional, and high-rise construction.
- Portland General Electric (PGE) — Power generation and electrical infrastructure supporting utility trades.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Oregon
Oregon has one of the strongest union trade environments on the West Coast. Union labor dominates large commercial projects, public works, utilities, and institutional construction, particularly in the Portland metro area. Non-union work remains more common in residential construction and smaller private projects.
Union Apprenticeships in Oregon
Union apprenticeship programs in Oregon are highly structured and closely tied to licensing requirements and prevailing wage work:
- IBEW Local 48 — Portland-area electrical apprenticeships supporting commercial, industrial, and utility projects.
- IBEW Local 280 — Electrical training covering central and southern Oregon.
- UA Local 290 — Plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC technicians serving much of the state.
- SMART Local 16 — Sheet metal fabrication and HVAC-related apprenticeships in Oregon and southwest Washington.
- Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute (Local 503) — Carpenters training programs supporting commercial and infrastructure work.
Ready to start a trade career in Oregon?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Oregon.
Oregon Trade Schools & Apprenticeships