Plumber Career Guide in Oregon
Explore plumber salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Oregon.
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How to Become a Plumber in Oregon
Plumbers in Oregon install, alter, repair, and maintain water distribution, drainage, waste, venting, fixtures, and related plumbing systems. The statewide median wage is approximately $93,110 per year, which is about $30,140 higher than the national median for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Most plumbers in Oregon complete an approved four-year registered apprenticeship administered through the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Apprenticeship and Training Division.
The standard Oregon pathway is completion of a registered four-year plumbing apprenticeship combining supervised work experience with related classroom instruction. Alternative experience and classroom-training pathways may also qualify an applicant for the Journeyman Plumber examination.
The standard plumber apprenticeship generally requires approximately 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Apprentices also complete related classroom instruction covering the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, plumbing theory, potable-water systems, sanitary drainage, venting, fuel-gas piping, blueprint reading, pipe installation, medical gas systems, backflow prevention, and workplace safety.
Candidates generally must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and satisfy the entry requirements established by the local apprenticeship committee.
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.
Plumber Salary in Oregon
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Oregon median wage for plumber 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 $62,970, the median wage in Oregon is approximately $30,140 higher. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Plumbers 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 PREPARATIONPlumber Training Requirements in Oregon
Complete a registered four-year plumbing apprenticeship or another pathway accepted by the Oregon Building Codes Division.
One alternative generally requires at least 576 hours of plumbing-related classroom training plus 3,850 hours of lawful commercial and 3,850 hours of lawful residential on-the-job experience. Applicants must submit experience verification, meet the education requirements, and pass the Oregon Journeyman Plumber examination.
Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code
Apprentices study the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, permit requirements, inspections, fixture standards, potable-water systems, sanitary drainage, venting, and code-compliant plumbing practices.
Water Supply & Drainage Systems
Training covers water-service piping, domestic-water distribution, sanitary drainage, vent systems, storm drainage, water heaters, pumps, pressure regulation, and plumbing-system troubleshooting.
Pipe Installation & Blueprint Reading
Students learn blueprint interpretation, plumbing layout, pipe sizing, copper soldering and brazing, threaded piping, cast-iron installation, plastic piping, valves, supports, hangers, and fixture connections.
Commercial & Industrial Plumbing
Advanced training includes commercial plumbing, mechanical-room piping, process piping, compressed air, hydronic systems, medical gas installations, semiconductor facilities, and backflow prevention.
Plumbing Safety & OSHA Practices
Programs emphasize trench safety, confined-space procedures, fall protection, lockout/tagout, personal protective equipment, material handling, and safe use of plumbing tools and machinery.
Plumber 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 |
| Clackamas Community College | Oregon City | View Program |
| Rogue Community College | Grants Pass | 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 OPPORTUNITIESPlumber Apprenticeship Programs in Oregon
Central Oregon Plumbing Apprenticeship
Organization: Central Oregon Apprenticeship Training Committee
Plumber Licensing Requirements in Oregon
Oregon regulates plumbers at the state level through the Oregon Building Codes Division within the Department of Consumer and Business Services. Individuals performing regulated plumbing work must hold the appropriate state-issued plumbing license or be registered in an approved plumbing apprenticeship program.
Oregon requires individuals performing regulated plumbing work to hold the appropriate individual plumbing license. Plumbing contractors must also hold the applicable Building Codes Division plumbing business license and Construction Contractors Board license.
The principal individual credential is the Journeyman Plumber License, which authorizes the holder to perform plumbing work within the scope established by Oregon law. Oregon also issues specialty plumbing licenses for limited scopes such as water-treatment systems, water heaters, and solar heating and cooling equipment.
Businesses contracting plumbing work generally need both an Oregon Construction Contractors Board license and the appropriate Building Codes Division plumbing contractor license.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSPlumber Job Outlook in Oregon
Oregon offers strong career opportunities for plumbers because of high construction wages, commercial development, semiconductor manufacturing, healthcare expansion, data centers, residential construction, utilities, food processing, and public infrastructure investment.
Portland and surrounding communities provide the state’s largest plumbing employment market. Hospitals, apartment developments, office buildings, technology campuses, laboratories, hotels, and public projects create continuing demand for licensed plumbers.
Hillsboro supports plumbing and pipe-trades employment connected to semiconductor manufacturing and advanced industrial facilities. Salem, Eugene, Bend, Medford, and other regional centers provide additional opportunities in residential construction, healthcare, education, hospitality, food processing, and municipal infrastructure.
Oregon projects employment for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters to grow by approximately 15% from 2022 to 2032, with about 630 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
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 plumber salary in Oregon?
The statewide median wage for plumbers in Oregon is approximately $93,110 per year, or $44.77 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Oregon require plumber licensing?
Yes. Oregon requires individuals performing regulated, non-exempt plumber 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 a plumber in Oregon?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A Oregon Journeyman Plumber license generally requires 576 hours of supervised on-the-job training and passage of the required examination.
Are plumbers in demand in Oregon?
Oregon projects plumber employment to grow by approximately 15% from 2022 to 2032, with about 630 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 Plumber (SOC 47-2152) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Oregon Plumber Wages
- Oregon Plumber Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Oregon Plumber Employment Trends
- Oregon Building Codes Division — Licensing authority. Oregon Building Codes Division