Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with BLS, IBEW, NECA, or any electrical contractor. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
Home/By State/Oregon

BLS OEWS May 2025

Electrician Salary in Oregon 2026

Updated 22 June 2026

$101,310/yr median · $48.71/hr

State Median

$101k

vs. National

+$38k

Top 10%

$132k

COL-Adjusted

$90k

Electrician Salary Range in Oregon

The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in Oregon, from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%. All three figures are reported directly by the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (May 2025).

10th percentile

$60k

$59,550/yr

Lowest-paid 10%

Median (50th)

$101k

$101,310/yr

Typical electrician

90th percentile

$132k

$131,530/yr

Highest-paid 10%

$59,550$101,310 median$131,530

An electrician in the bottom 10% of Oregon earners makes about $59,550/yr, while the top 10% earn $131,530/yr or more — a range of $71,980. The 10th-percentile figure is a real BLS wage observation (it typically reflects apprentices and newly-licensed journeymen), distinct from the modelled apprentice-entry estimate shown in the experience table below.

Where Oregon Ranks

Oregon ranks #1 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Oregon pays $38,120 above the national average.

Oregon's cost-of-living index is 112 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $90,455/yr in national-average dollar terms. The high cost of living significantly reduces the real value of nominal wages.

Pay by Metro Area

Estimated median pay for the top 5 metropolitan areas in Oregon, modelled from the state median and regional cost differentials (not BLS metro estimates).

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Portland Metro$73,200-28.1k
Salem$64,800-36.5k
Eugene$62,400-38.9k
Bend$64,000-37.3k
Medford$60,400-40.9k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$19 - $24/hr$40,000 - $50,000
Apprentice (Year 4)$26 - $34/hr$54,000 - $71,000
Journeyman (Employee)$33 - $48/hr$69,000 - $100,000
Master Electrician (Employee)$40 - $58/hr$83,000 - $121,000
Self-Employed Contractor$95 - $170/hr billed$95,000 - $240,000 net

Oregon Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityOregon Building Codes Division (BCD) - Electrical and Elevator Section
Journeyman RequirementOregon General Journeyman Electrician (J) license: 8,000 hours documented OJT + 576 hours classroom + pass NEC-based exam. Oregon also issues Limited Journeyman categories (LJM for manufacturing, LJR for residential)
Master RequirementOregon General Supervising Electrician (S) license: 4,000 hours (2 years) as licensed General Journeyman + pass Supervising exam
Fee$240 exam + $90 license issuance (Oregon BCD fee schedule 2026)
ReciprocityOregon has reciprocity for general journeyman with Washington, Idaho, Alaska, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, and Maine (verify specifics with Oregon BCD)

See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing

Union Presence in Oregon

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 48 (Portland), Local 280 (Salem-Eugene), Local 932 (Medford), Local 125 (outside line/utility), Local 659 (Medford outside)

Union share: approximately 31% of electricians in Oregon are union.

Union electricians in Oregon typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.

Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis

Job Outlook in Oregon

Oregon electricians benefit from Portland's continued data center growth (Hillsboro is a major Pacific Northwest data center hub for Amazon, Meta, Apple, Google), semiconductor expansion in Washington County (Intel's D1X campus expansion), and Bonneville Power Administration grid modernisation. Bend's high-tech inflow continues to drive light commercial work. Oregon's strict apprenticeship rules and limited license categories produce a relatively tight licensed-electrician supply.

Major Employers in Oregon

Christenson ElectricCherry City ElectricOregon Electric GroupPortland General Electric (PGE)Bonneville Power Administration

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Oregon?
Electricians in Oregon earn a median of $101,310/yr ($48.71/hr) per BLS OEWS May 2025. Apprentices start at around $43,200/yr and top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $131,530/yr (these apprentice and top-end figures are estimates, not BLS).
What is the salary range for electricians in Oregon?
BLS OEWS May 2025 puts the wage range at $59,550/yr (10th percentile, lowest-paid 10%) to $131,530/yr (90th percentile, highest-paid 10%), with a median of $101,310/yr — a spread of $71,980.
How does Oregon rank for electrician pay?
Oregon ranks #1 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 112), the real purchasing power is $90,455/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Oregon?
Oregon General Journeyman Electrician (J) license: 8,000 hours documented OJT + 576 hours classroom + pass NEC-based exam. Oregon also issues Limited Journeyman categories (LJM for manufacturing, LJR for residential). For master level: Oregon General Supervising Electrician (S) license: 4,000 hours (2 years) as licensed General Journeyman + pass Supervising exam.
Are union electricians better paid in Oregon?
Yes. IBEW Local 48 (Portland), Local 280 (Salem-Eugene), Local 932 (Medford), Local 125 (outside line/utility), Local 659 (Medford outside) operate in Oregon, with approximately 31% of electricians in Oregon are union. Union electricians earn 20-35% more in total compensation when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
What is the job outlook for electricians in Oregon?
Oregon electricians benefit from Portland's continued data center growth (Hillsboro is a major Pacific Northwest data center hub for Amazon, Meta, Apple, Google), semiconductor expansion in Washington County (Intel's D1X campus expansion), and Bonneville Power Administration grid modernisation. Bend's high-tech inflow continues to drive light commercial work. Oregon's strict apprenticeship rules and limited license categories produce a relatively tight licensed-electrician supply.

Related Pages

State 10th-percentile, median, and 90th-percentile (top 10%) wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (47-2111). COL index: MERIC 2026. Metro, apprentice, and contractor figures are modelled estimates (not BLS). IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.

Updated 2026-04-27