Plumber in Oregon

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OR. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$93,110

trending_up +47.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Oregon.

engineering

6,080

Jobs (OR)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$250

Est. total cost

schedule

4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in Oregon

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Oregon, individuals must complete an approved four-year apprenticeship program or have equivalent training and experience, totaling 7,700 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of classroom instruction. After meeting the education and experience prerequisites, applicants must pass the Oregon Journeyman Plumber Examination. Oregon offers reciprocity for Journeyman Plumbers licensed in Idaho and Montana, provided they meet specific qualifications.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $53,930

25th percentile $64,550

50th (median) $93,110

75th percentile $113,570

90th (experienced) $131,420

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Oregon. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Oregon requirements

Licensing body	Oregon Building Codes Division
State license	Required
Education	Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent.
Experience	7,700.0 hours
Exam	Oregon Journeyman Plumber Examination ($305)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED. A Plumbing Contractor license is also required to own a business and has additional requirements including an exam and liability insurance. New licensees may have modified CE requirements for their first renewal cycle.

Source: Oregon Building Codes Division

workspace_premium Oregon license tiers

Oregon offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	7,700

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.5%

Faster than average

Annual openings

44,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

504,500

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.12/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$250 investment ÷ $93,110 median salary

check_circleOregon license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a plumber career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a plumber in Oregon? expand_more

Oregon requires plumbers to complete the required education (Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent.), gain 7,700.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Oregon Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a plumber in Oregon? expand_more

Oregon mandates state licensure for plumbers. Oregon Building Codes Division oversees the process, which includes passing the Oregon Journeyman Plumber Examination.

How much do plumbers make in Oregon? expand_more

Oregon plumbers bring home a median salary of $93,110. This exceeds the $62,970 national median by 48%. New plumbers start around $53,930; seasoned professionals can reach $131,420.

How expensive is plumber licensing in Oregon? expand_more

Plan on spending $250 total — that covers exam fee ($305) and application fee ($100) plus your education and training.

How quickly can I become a plumber in Oregon? expand_more

Most candidates in Oregon complete the process in 4 years, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

How many CE hours do plumbers need in Oregon? expand_more

Oregon requires 24.0 hours of continuing education every 3.0 years to maintain your plumber license.