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

Skilled trades

Oregon employs 5,240 welders, with a statewide median of $59,450 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Oregon licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in Oregon (May 2025)

Oregon median pay: $59,450 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,070
Experienced (75th percentile): $66,570
Top earners (90th percentile): $79,230
Employed in Oregon: 5,240
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Albany: $62,790 (280 employed)
Portland: $62,050 (3,300 employed)
Salem: $57,180 (410 employed)
Bend: $56,910 (330 employed)
Eugene: $54,670 (530 employed)
Medford: $50,270 (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 $59,450 median is worth closer to $57,495 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Oregon (2024–2034)

Oregon is projected to grow welders employment +7.6%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 590 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Oregon License and Certification Requirements

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests — regulated by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven.

Oregon does not license welders.
Train at a community-college welding program or an apprenticeship.
Pass employer or AWS weld tests for the processes and codes you'll work (structural, pipe, etc.).

Official requirements: No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven →

Training in Oregon

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. Manufacturing, shipbuilding, and metal fabrication drive demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Oregon include:

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

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in Oregon?

The median wage for welders in Oregon is $59,450 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,070, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,230. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests, overseen by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven. Oregon does not license welders.

Is being a Welder a good career in Oregon?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which Oregon metros pay welders the most?

Among Oregon metro areas, Albany leads at $62,790, followed by Portland ($62,050), Salem ($57,180). 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 Welder in Oregon?

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

Is Welder a growing career in Oregon?

Oregon projects welders employment to change +7.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 590 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 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven (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.