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.
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BLS OES May 2024

Electrician Salary in Oregon 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$68,400/yr average · $32.88/hr

State Median

$68k

vs. National

+$7k

Top 10%

$104k

COL-Adjusted

$61k

Where Oregon Ranks

Oregon ranks #6 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Oregon pays $6,810 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 $61,071/yr in national-average dollar terms. The high cost of living significantly reduces the real value of nominal wages.

Pay by Metro Area

BLS OES May 2024 MSA-level data. Top 5 metropolitan areas in Oregon.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Portland Metro$73,200++4.8k
Salem$64,800-3.6k
Eugene$62,400-6.0k
Bend$64,000-4.4k
Medford$60,400-8.0k

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 $68,400/yr ($32.88/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $43,200/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $103,600/yr.
How does Oregon rank for electrician pay?
Oregon ranks #6 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 112), the real purchasing power is $61,071/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

All StatesLicensing RequirementsJourneyman SalaryMaster Electrician SalaryUnion vs Non-Union

Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2111), MERIC 2026 COL Index, IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.

Updated 2026-04-27