Electricians in the state of Oregon can expect plenty of stable work, excellent pay, and plenty of opportunities to grow within the electrical industry.
If this sounds like something you’re looking for, then you should really consider entering the electrical field!
Keep reading to discover how you can become an electrician in Oregon.
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Electrician Job Duties and Skills In Oregon
According to Oregon.gov, in Oregon, the following skills are necessary in order to become an electrician:
- Electrical Installation, Maintenance, and Repair.
- Adjust, maintain, and repair electric motors, equipment, and instruments.
- Troubleshoot and diagnose circuit breakers and transformers, emergency generators, high voltage primary power lines, etc.
- Diagnose problems utilizing appropriate tools and test equipment.
- Estimate cost of jobs.
And more.
In addition to that, you’ll want to have a few soft skills, such as:
- Good communication
- Customer service
- Time management
- Computer skills
- Math skills
How to Become an Electrician In Oregon
Now that you know all about the skills that are required to become an electrician, you’re probably wondering how you can actually go about entering the electrical industry.
Read the steps down below to find out!
Meet All Requirements
To be able to get an electrical license in Oregon, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Be a high school graduate or obtain a GED
- Be 18 years old or older
Be sure to reach both of these requirements before applying to take the licensing exam, or you will be unable to take it.
Complete All the Required Classroom Hours
It is mandatory that you complete at least 576 classroom hours before you can qualify to apply for your electrical license in Oregon.
Make sure you reach this requirement or you will not be able to successfully apply for your license.
Successfully Finish Your Training
You must be sure to gain at least 8,000 hours of hands-on work experience, or else you won’t be eligible to receive an electrical license in Oregon.
You can gain all these hours by completing an apprenticeship program or attending a school.
You can attend community college or opt to attend a technical or vocational school instead.
Apply For Your License
Once you’ve met all these requirements, you can apply for your electrical license!
To do this, you need to take and pass the electrical exam.
This exam includes 28 questions and you must score 75% or higher to pass.
Training Programs for Electricians In Oregon
Independent Electrical Contractors Training Center
The IEC apprenticeship program allows students the opportunity to earn while they learn.
Those enrolled in the program will get on-the-job training with an IEC contractor during the day and will be able to attend class and receive hands-on instruction during the evening.
On top of the IEC apprenticeship curriculum being recognized as one of the best teaching tools for electrical apprentices in the nation, the IEC’s program is also recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship & Training.
It’s one of the most approved programs with nationwide credentials, so graduating from it gives students a boost in credibility.
NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center
Similarly to the IEC apprenticeship program, the NECA-IBEW Electrical Apprenticeship is very prestigious.
The program promises that its students learn from the most respected and experienced instructors in the nation’s most technologically advanced facility.
Apprentices in this program will focus on hands-on learning, preparing for the licensing exam, learning the national code, and more.
Overall, it’s an incredibly well-rounded course that provides students with the basic foundation that they need to get started in the electrical field, plus more.
Crater Lake Electrical Training Center JATC 
At the Crater Lake Electrical Training Center, students will learn all the basics of becoming an electrician.
From reading blueprints and deciphering sketches to working with hand tools and power tools, apprentices in this program will gain the knowledge they’ll need to begin working in the electrical industry.
But this program also provides more details and goes more in-depth with what it teaches.
Some other things it teaches include:
- Installing and working with live wires
- Working with control panels
- Working with electrical motors
- Learning the National Electrical Code
And more.
The Crater Lake Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust Fund was originally established in 1967 and is a well-established, highly acclaimed program that is perfect for any student who is serious about progressing in their electrical journey.
The IBEW and NECA fund oversee this apprenticeship program, so you know it’s an excellent choice and is sufficient in prepping students for the electrical industry!
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Independent Electrical Contractors Training Center | 3710 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR 97301 |
| NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center | 16021 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230 |
| Crater Lake Electrical Training Center JATC | 4864 Airway Dr, Central Point, OR 97502 |
Electrician Salaries In Oregon
In the state of Oregon, entry-level electricians may earn about $47,000 per year.
But, on average, most electricians in Oregon will make $64,000 or more!
The amount you earn can depend on a lot of different factors, such as your experience, expertise, and even your city.
Check out the chart below to see how Oregon’s electricians’ pay can vary city by city.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $67,989 |
| Beaverton | $67,989 |
| Gresham | $67,902 |
| Hillsboro | $67,771 |
| Salem | $64,456 |
| Eugene | $64,229 |
| Springfield | $64,086 |
| Corvallis | $63,702 |
| Medford | $63,642 |
| Bend | $63,505 |
Regional Salary in Oregon
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 410 | $85,480 | $41.1 | $104,860 | $49,060 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 390 | $76,010 | $36.54 | $100,200 | $47,420 |
| Corvallis, OR | 50 | $82,100 | $39.47 | $99,110 | $53,470 |
| Eugene, OR | 590 | $75,200 | $36.15 | $98,170 | $45,850 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 70 | $77,780 | $37.39 | $101,520 | $48,840 |
| Medford, OR | 500 | $73,830 | $35.49 | $95,990 | $45,950 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 6,700 | $85,590 | $41.15 | $108,750 | $47,990 |
| Salem, OR | 690 | $77,530 | $37.27 | $100,140 | $47,950 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oregon a good state for electricians?
Yes.
Electricians are in demand in Oregon and the state ranks number 6 out of 50 states for electrician salaries.
What's the most you can make as an electrician in Oregon?
While it’s possible to make more, the highest paid electricians in Oregon generally make between $80,000 and $100,000.
What is the projected growth for electricians in Oregon?
Between 2020 and 2030, the projected rate of growth for electricians is a whopping sixteen percent.
Electrician Info by State
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