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Electrician in Oregon: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Oregon employs 10,590 electricians, with a statewide median of $101,310 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Oregon licensing picture, and where to train.

What Electricians Earn in Oregon (May 2025)

Oregon median pay: $101,310 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $59,550
Experienced (75th percentile): $121,680
Top earners (90th percentile): $131,530
Employed in Oregon: 10,590
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,350 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Oregon markets:

Portland: $105,090 (7,340 employed)
Albany: $100,230 (440 employed)
Bend: $99,200 (610 employed)
Salem: $98,850 (1,000 employed)
Eugene: $94,680 (750 employed)
Medford: $92,410 (500 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Oregon

Prices in Oregon run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $101,310 median is worth closer to $97,979 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Oregon (2024–2034)

Oregon is projected to grow electricians employment +12.1%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Oregon License and Certification Requirements

General Journeyman Electrician license — regulated by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — licensing; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — contracting.

Enter a BCD-registered electrical apprenticeship (about 4 years / 8,000 hours plus related classroom instruction).
Pass the journeyman exam and obtain your BCD non-contracting electrical license.
To contract, add an electrical contractor license through the CCB.

Official requirements: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — licensing; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — contracting →

Training in Oregon

Oregon offers several specialty/limited electrical licenses besides general journeyman. IBEW/IEC apprenticeships are the earn-while-you-learn route.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Oregon include:

Blue Mountain Community College — Certificate / Associate
Chemeketa Community College — Associate
Clackamas Community College — Certificate / Associate
Lane Community College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.

Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.

Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

First Steps

Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Oregon?

The median wage for electricians in Oregon is $101,310 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $59,550, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $131,530. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Oregon?

General Journeyman Electrician license, overseen by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — licensing; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — contracting. Enter a BCD-registered electrical apprenticeship (about 4 years / 8,000 hours plus related classroom instruction).

Is being an Electrician a good career in Oregon?

Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

Which Oregon metros pay electricians the most?

Among Oregon metro areas, Portland leads at $105,090, followed by Albany ($100,230), Bend ($99,200). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Electrician in Oregon?

Real Oregon options include Blue Mountain Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Clackamas Community College. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Electrician a growing career in Oregon?

Oregon projects electricians employment to change +12.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,110 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Oregon statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — licensing; Construction Contractors Board (CCB) — contracting (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Oregon wages · Oregon licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.