Oregon’s diverse economy relies on skilled workers in manufacturing, healthcare, renewable energy, and construction. Trade schools across the state offer short-term, career-focused training designed to prepare students for high-demand jobs in these industries. Programs can often be completed in less than two years, and many include internships or apprenticeships for hands-on experience.
Whether you live in Portland, Eugene, Salem, or rural Oregon, you can find accredited programs that match your career goals and schedule.
Best Trade Schools in Oregon
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
#1
Oregon Institute of Technology
📍
Klamath Falls, OR
•In-state option•BOC Score
61.2
Compare accredited trade schools in 58 Oregon cities. Each city page lists the closest local schools with tuition, median graduate earnings, and the trades hiring nearby.
Portland Community College is the largest and most comprehensive, with programs in welding, HVAC, automotive, and healthcare. Lane Community College is also highly regarded for aviation and renewable energy programs.
Are Oregon community colleges considered trade schools?
Yes. Many Oregon community colleges offer accredited, hands-on training that prepares you for skilled trade careers; employment outcomes vary by location and job market.
What trades are in demand in Oregon in 2025?
Welders, HVAC techs, electricians, nurses, renewable energy specialists, and automotive service technicians are in high demand.
Oregon’s trade schools combine hands-on training, strong employer partnerships, and financial aid options to prepare students for stable, well-paying careers.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)