Actually, according to the statistics, it is expected that the job growth reaches 14% in the years to come, which is more than with some other professions.
If you are from Oregon and plan on getting involved in the plumbing profession, you will highly benefit from our short but very useful guide.
The state of Oregon requires that all aspiring plumbing contractors meet a few requirements in compliance with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).
This means that they must have either a trade school education or a certain number of apprenticeship hours before applying for a license.
Furthermore, Oregon requires any contractor working for compensation to register their business with the Oregon Secretary of State, provide worker’s compensation and liability insurance, and comply with state tax regulations.
Last, but not least there are some fees that have to be paid and they vary depending on the type of license:
- General Contractor Application Fee: $250.00
- CCB License Exam Fee: $60.00
- 16-hour pre-license training: $49.00 – $550.00
- Surety Bond: Cost varies
- Proof of Insurance: Cost varies
Page Navigation
Oregon Plumbing License Reciprocity
Oregon has reciprocity agreements in plumbing licenses with the states of Idaho and Montana.
If you already possess a contractor license in one of these two states, you must have the following to be allowed to work in Oregon:
- An equivalent or higher license from the reciprocal state that is current and active with no violations or conditions attached within the past three years
- You need to be qualified for the licensing exam in the reciprocal state through required work experience.
- You must have passed the licensing exam in the reciprocal state with a score of 75% or better.
- You must have worked a minimum of six months (1,000 hours) under the license from the reciprocal state.
- You must not fail the Oregon licensing examination for the license type you are reciprocating within the past two years.
Those who meet these criteria have to pay a $100 non-refundable fee, and submit the following documents:
- A passport
- A copy of an active contractor’s license
- A completed license verification form
- Employment information
Oregon Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
By gaining a Journeyman license in the state of Oregon, you will become a contractor who is allowed o perform all plumbing installation, alterations, or remodels.
So as to become a plumber journeyman in Oregon, you need to provide the following:
- A certificate of completion from a four-year apprenticeship program or a referral from either the registered training committee or Oregon Plumbing Board-approved training program
- Verified proof of at least 576 hours of academic classroom training and 3,850 hours of on-the-job experience
Even though you meet all the education and training requirements, to be allowed to get the license, you must complete a Journeyman Plumber Application and pay the $100 non-refundable application processing fee.
After your application is approved, the division will mail you a letter with details of how to schedule your exam, which is also an obligatory part of gaining your license.
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
Besides meeting the education requirements, to get the journeyman license you need to take and pass a four-hour exam.
To be allowed to sit for this exam, an applicant has to pay a $100 fee for the application, complete work history, provide a photo, and sign an affidavit.
The great thing is that journeyman exams are given around the state so that you can choose the location that is the most suitable for you.
Some of the locations are Bend, Eugene, Hermiston, Klamath Falls, Ontario, Pendleton, Portland, Roseburg, Salem, White City, or Lincoln City.
Have in mind the fact that only if the application is received and approved, you can take the exam.
So as to prepare for the Oregon plumber exam, future applicants should cover the following subjects:
- Administration
- Definitions
- General Regulations
- Plumbing Math
- Fixtures, Faucets, and Fixture Fittings
- Water Heaters
- Water Supply and Distribution
- Sanitary Drainage
- Indirect and Special Waste
- Vents
- Traps, Interceptors, and Separators
- Storm Drainage
- Appendices
- Hands-On Practical Application
This is an open book exam, and upon approval, you will be given a list of the approved exam material that you can use to prepare for and while taking the exam.
You must score 75% or higher to pass.
Oregon Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
To become an apprentice plumber, these requirements must be met:
- GED or high school diploma
- 18 years or older
- One year algebra with C or higher
You can make use of the state of Oregon website which provides a list of pre-license educators, organized by price, type of school, and language if you want to find Oregon Plumbing Apprentice Jobs.
It is important that you make sure the plumber you start working for as an apprentice is licensed and qualified.
Some people rather choose to be apprentices than attend trade schools, due to the fact that they earn some salary while working.
Plumbing Trade Schools in Oregon
If you wish to attend a school and gain knowledge and experience through both classroom learning and training, we offer you some of the most prominent schools to select in Oregon:
Lane Community College
Program: Apprenticeship Program – Plumbers
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Type of school: Four-year program
Chemeketa Community College
Program: Plumber Apprenticeship Program
Location: Salem, Oregon
Type of school: Four-year program
Clackamas Community College
Program: Plumbing Apprenticeship Program
Location: Oregon City, Milwaukie, and Wilsonville, Oregon
Type of school: Three to a four-year program
Salary
It is not possible to determine the exact money that plumbers in Oregon make, but it is believed that their salaries are high enough to afford a decent living.
The average Plumber salary in Oregon is $ 57251, but it varies from city to city and from person to person.
Apprentices earn the lowest salaries, as they cannot work on their own, while plumbers with higher-level licenses and advanced experience can earn up to $65499 per year.
You should take a look at the following table, showing how different salaries are among the top ten cities in Oregon prior to making a decision where you want to work.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in Oregon
City Name Salary Portland $60,079 Eugene $56,343 Salem $57,993 Gresham $60,003 Beaverton $60,079 Hillsboro $59,888 Medford $53,853 Springfield $55,929 Bend $55,561 Corvallis $56,641 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Albany, OR 120 $76,440 $36.75 $92,030 $51,960 Bend-Redmond, OR 260 $74,140 $35.65 $95,820 $51,240 Corvallis, OR 40 $74,380 $35.76 $104,680 $50,720 Eugene, OR 350 $72,690 $34.95 $103,340 $45,860 Medford, OR 170 $76,570 $36.81 $111,290 $47,060 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 3,800 $88,400 $42.5 $130,430 $48,950 Salem, OR 380 $76,250 $36.66 $95,200 $48,450
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
This page is also available in Spanish.
