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

Skilled trades

Oregon employs 5,370 plumbers, with a statewide median of $97,050 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Oregon licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Oregon (May 2025)

Oregon median pay: $97,050 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $58,230
Experienced (75th percentile): $126,400
Top earners (90th percentile): $147,100
Employed in Oregon: 5,370
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Portland: $101,010 (4,600 employed)
Bend: $92,330 (240 employed)
Eugene: $84,910 (210 employed)
Albany: $84,620 (130 employed)
Salem: $80,610 (440 employed)
Medford: $78,440 (200 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 $97,050 median is worth closer to $93,859 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Oregon (2024–2034)

Oregon is projected to grow plumbers employment +11.7%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 640 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Oregon License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Plumbing.

Complete a four-year plumbing apprenticeship (8,000 hours of supervised work) plus at least 576 hours of related classroom instruction.
Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Apply to the BCD; add a contractor license through the CCB to run your own business.

Official requirements: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Plumbing →

Training in Oregon

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. Oregon licenses plumbers at the state level — all plumbing work requires a license.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Oregon include:

Linn-Benton Community College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Oregon?

The median wage for plumbers in Oregon is $97,050 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $58,230, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $147,100. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in Oregon?

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Plumbing. Complete a four-year plumbing apprenticeship (8,000 hours of supervised work) plus at least 576 hours of related classroom instruction.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Oregon?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Oregon metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Oregon metro areas, Portland leads at $101,010, followed by Bend ($92,330), Eugene ($84,910). 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 a Plumber in Oregon?

Real Oregon options include Linn-Benton Community College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Oregon?

Oregon projects plumbers employment to change +11.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 640 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 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) — Plumbing (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.