Highest-paying trades in Oregon
28 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Oregon, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $66.64 | $138,600 | $76.56 | 230 | 4th of 37 | -3.5% | 26% above |
| 2 | Construction manager | $63.18 | $131,420 | $100.74 | 4,300 | 8th of 51 | +11.0% | 14% above |
| 3 | Lineman | $63.02 | $131,090 | $73.97 | 1,640 | 3rd of 51 | +8.9% | 38% above |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $49.55 | $103,070 | $74.12 | 7,890 | 4th of 51 | +21.5% | 29% above |
| 5 | Electrician | $48.71 | $101,310 | $63.24 | 10,590 | 1st of 51 | +11.2% | 60% above |
| 6 | Plumber | $46.66 | $97,050 | $70.72 | 5,370 | 3rd of 51 | -1.6% | 52% above |
| 7 | Ironworker | $46.18 | $96,050 | $58.11 | 570 | 7th of 50 | +22.4% | 53% above |
| 8 | Crane operator | $40.03 | $83,260 | $63.66 | 340 | 10th of 50 | +18.9% | 22% above |
| 9 | Brickmason | $38.20 | $79,450 | $49.23 | 650 | 8th of 50 | +11.8% | 28% above |
| 10 | Sheet metal worker | $35.46 | $73,750 | $57.98 | 3,250 | 12th of 50 | +15.4% | 19% above |
| 11 | Drywall installer | $35.35 | $73,530 | $55.13 | 1,680 | 4th of 49 | +31.4% | 25% above |
| 12 | Heavy equipment operator | $35.30 | $73,430 | $56.40 | 5,630 | 14th of 51 | +5.5% | 23% above |
| 13 | Plasterer | $34.22 | $71,180 | $47.03 | 170 | 8th of 28 | +37.5% | 23% above |
| 14 | Glazier | $34.08 | $70,890 | $52.76 | 700 | 5th of 50 | +37.3% | 24% above |
| 15 | Millwright | $33.99 | $70,700 | $53.10 | 460 | 16th of 48 | +5.1% | 8% above |
| 16 | Cement mason | $32.95 | $68,530 | $45.45 | 2,170 | 5th of 51 | +31.0% | 20% above |
| 17 | Solar installer | $31.88 | $66,320 | $42.00 | 360 | 4th of 32 | +27.8% | 25% above |
| 18 | Diesel mechanic | $30.76 | $63,970 | $43.61 | 3,770 | 19th of 51 | +3.4% | 4% above |
| 19 | Machinist | $30.68 | $63,820 | $41.63 | 2,760 | 6th of 51 | +0.9% | 9% above |
| 20 | HVAC technician | $30.26 | $62,940 | $45.44 | 3,980 | 18th of 51 | +0.5% | 3% above |
| 21 | Carpenter | $30.23 | $62,870 | $51.13 | 15,110 | 13th of 51 | +7.5% | 4% above |
| 22 | Wind turbine technician | $29.72 | $61,820 | $42.07 | 150 | 19th of 25 | — | 4% below |
| 23 | Insulation worker | $28.95 | $60,210 | $38.53 | 700 | 4th of 48 | — | 23% above |
| 24 | Welder | $28.58 | $59,450 | $38.09 | 5,240 | 18th of 51 | +6.5% | 11% above |
| 25 | Roofer | $28.35 | $58,970 | $46.01 | 3,430 | 21st of 51 | +11.3% | 6% above |
| 26 | Tile setter | $28.27 | $58,790 | $39.40 | 790 | 16th of 47 | +17.7% | 6% above |
| 27 | Construction laborer | $24.45 | $50,860 | $37.70 | 12,620 | 15th of 51 | +12.6% | 8% above |
| 28 | Painter | $23.51 | $48,900 | $35.36 | 5,410 | 28th of 51 | +7.3% | 1% below |
Construction jobs in Oregon
118.8kConstruction jobs2026-08
+2.1%Change over 12 months
+3.8%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in Oregon
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Oregon, 20 of 36 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $79.51/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Oregon
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Oregon?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $66.64 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($63.18) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($63.02).
How does Oregon compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 28 trades listed, 26 pay above the national median in Oregon and 2 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 103.4% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Oregon.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).