Electrician Career Guide in Oregon
Explore electrician salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Oregon.
Career Guide Navigation
How to Become an Electrician in Oregon
The standard Oregon pathway is completion of an approved electrical apprenticeship combining paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction. License scope varies considerably, so applicants should select the apprenticeship and experience categories that correspond to the license they intend to obtain.
Most electricians in Oregon complete a four- to five-year registered apprenticeship administered through the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Apprenticeship and Training Division.
The General Journeyman Electrician apprenticeship normally requires approximately 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Apprentices also complete related classroom instruction covering electrical theory, National Electrical Code requirements, Oregon electrical codes, residential and commercial wiring, industrial systems, blueprint reading, conduit installation, motor controls, troubleshooting, and workplace safety.
Applicants for many inside electrician apprenticeships must be at least 18 years old when accepted, possess a high school diploma or GED, and demonstrate qualifying algebra education.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Electrician Salary in Oregon
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Oregon median wage for electrician workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $62,350, the median wage in Oregon is approximately $34,970 higher. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Electricians in Oregon
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONElectrician Training Requirements in Oregon
The standard pathway to an Oregon General Journeyman Electrician license is completion of an approved Oregon apprenticeship followed by the required licensing examination. Applicants qualifying through out-of-state experience may document 576 hours of classroom training and 8,000 hours of qualifying on-the-job experience, including the required residential, commercial, and industrial experience categories. An alternative pathway may require 16,000 hours of qualifying experience when the related classroom training requirement is not met.
Electrical Theory & Calculations
Apprentices study voltage, current, resistance, circuitry, load calculations, conductor sizing, transformers, grounding, bonding, and electrical power-distribution principles.
National Electrical Code & Oregon Electrical Code
Training covers the National Electrical Code, Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, wiring methods, grounding systems, overcurrent protection, service equipment, inspections, permits, and code-compliant installation practices.
Residential & Commercial Wiring
Students learn to install branch circuits, service equipment, panelboards, lighting systems, receptacles, switches, conduit, raceways, transformers, and other electrical components used in residential and commercial buildings.
Industrial Controls & Automation
Industrial training includes three-phase power, motors, motor controls, programmable logic controllers, variable-frequency drives, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, robotics, automation systems, and electrical troubleshooting.
Electrical Safety & OSHA Practices
Programs emphasize lockout/tagout procedures, arc-flash awareness, personal protective equipment, ladder safety, fall protection, confined-space awareness, grounding procedures, and safe work around energized electrical systems.
Electrician Training Providers in Oregon
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Portland Community College | Portland | View Program |
| Chemeketa Community College | Salem | View Program |
| Lane Community College | Eugene | View Program |
| Mt. Hood Community College | Gresham | View Program |
| Umpqua Community College | Roseburg | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESElectrician Apprenticeship Programs in Oregon
General Journeyman Electrician Apprenticeship
Organization: Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
Crater Lake Electrical JATC
Organization: Southern Oregon Electrical Training Partners
Electrician Licensing Requirements in Oregon
Oregon requires individuals performing regulated electrical installations to hold the appropriate state-issued electrical license or be registered in an approved apprenticeship program. Electrical licensing is administered by the Oregon Building Codes Division under the Department of Consumer and Business Services.
The principal journey-level credential is the General Journeyman Electrician License. Oregon also issues General Supervising Electrician, Limited Residential Electrician, Manufacturing Plant Electrician, Limited Energy Technician, Limited Maintenance Electrician, and other specialty licenses.
Electrical contracting businesses must hold an appropriate Oregon Electrical Contractor License and employ or designate the supervising electrician required for their license type.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSElectrician Job Outlook in Oregon
Oregon offers strong career opportunities for electricians because of high construction wages, population growth, semiconductor manufacturing, commercial development, data centers, renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, utilities, healthcare facilities, and public infrastructure projects.
Portland and surrounding communities provide the largest employment market. Hillsboro supports significant demand connected to semiconductor and advanced manufacturing facilities, while Salem, Eugene, Bend, and Medford provide opportunities in residential construction, commercial buildings, healthcare, utilities, and industrial maintenance.
Employment of electricians in Oregon is projected to grow by approximately 12% from 2022 to 2032, increasing from about 10,810 to 12,120 jobs. The state is expected to have approximately 1,110 electrician openings per year, including openings created by employment growth and worker replacement.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the electrician salary in Oregon?
The statewide median wage for electricians in Oregon is approximately $97,320 per year, or $46.79 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Oregon require electrician licensing?
Yes. Oregon requires individuals performing regulated, non-exempt electrician work to hold the appropriate license or credential. Applicants should verify the current license category, experience, examination, and renewal requirements with Oregon Building Codes Division.
How long does it take to become an electrician in Oregon?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A Oregon General Journeyman Electrician (J) license generally requires 576 hours of supervised on-the-job training and passage of the required examination.
Are electricians in demand in Oregon?
Oregon projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 12% from 2022 to 2032, with about 1,110 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Oregon Wages for Electrician (SOC 47-2111) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Oregon Electrician Wages
- Oregon Electrician Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Oregon Electrician Employment Trends
- Oregon Building Codes Division — Licensing authority. Oregon Building Codes Division