Plumber in Oregon
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OR
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.
Plumber Requirements in Oregon
| Detail | Oregon |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Oregon Building Codes Division |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent. |
| Experience Required | 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
License Tiers
Oregon offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 7,700 |
Plumber Salary in Oregon
The median plumber salary in Oregon is $93,110 per year, which is 47.9% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $53,930 |
| 25th | $64,550 |
| 50th (median) | $93,110 |
| 75th | $113,570 |
| 90th (experienced) | $131,420 |
Oregon employs approximately 6,080 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -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.
Is Becoming a Plumber in Oregon Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $250 and a median salary of $93,110 in Oregon, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Oregon's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.