Compare accredited Electrician schools across Oregon below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
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Best Electrician 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.
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Oregon.
Schools closest to the main population center in Oregon are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Oregon is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Median Graduate Earnings at Electrician Schools in OregonSource: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Electrician Schools in Oregon
School
Median graduate earnings
Lane Community College
$59,131
Portland Community College
$55,238
Clackamas Community College
$54,462
Columbia Gorge Community College
$53,750
Mt Hood Community College
$52,184
Chemeketa Community College
$50,594
Electrician Pay and Job Outlook
What electricians earn across the pay scaleProjected job growth for electriciansTop-paying states for electricians
Oregon Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$101,310
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
10,590 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
1.11
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
4.5%
BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage
$76.49/hr ($52.12 base + $24.37 fringe)
DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026
Top Cities for Electrician Training in Oregon
The cities below have the highest concentration of electrician training programs and population centers within Oregon. Click through for school listings near each:
If you want to become an electrician in Oregon, your training choice matters. The state requires a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job experience before you can get licensed. Picking the right school will help you meet those requirements and set you up for success in the trade.
Below, I’ll break down how licensing works in Oregon and which schools are worth considering.
How Electrician Licensing Works in Oregon
Electricians in Oregon must be licensed through the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD). You can’t legally perform electrical work without the proper license.
Oregon Rule: To become a General Journeyman Electrician (J) in Oregon, you must log 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and complete 576 hours of classroom instruction 1.
There are several categories of electrical licenses in Oregon, but most new electricians aim for one of the following:
General Journeyman (J) - Works on residential, commercial, and industrial wiring.
Limited Residential (LR) - Works only on single-phase residential wiring.
Limited Maintenance (LM) - Focuses on maintenance and repairs, not new installations.
To qualify, you need a combination of trade school classes and supervised apprenticeship hours. Many Oregon electrician schools partner with apprenticeship programs to help you get both.
Steps to Become an Electrician in Oregon
Enroll in an approved electrician training program.
Apply for an apprenticeship through a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) or independent program.
Complete the required classroom instruction (often done through your school).
Earn your on-the-job training hours under a licensed electrician.
Pass the Oregon licensing exam given by the BCD.
Maintain your license through continuing education.
Oregon Electrician Training Requirements
The table below summarizes training requirements for common license types in Oregon:
State approval - Make sure the program meets Oregon BCD requirements.
Apprenticeship connections - Schools with partner JATCs can help you connect with employers sooner; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market.
Location - Some apprenticeships require you to live in a specific area.
Schedule flexibility - Night or part-time programs help if you are already working.
It’s worth contacting a few programs to ask:
How long it usually takes graduates to get into an apprenticeship.
Which contractors they work with.
How they prepare students for the licensing exam.
Summary and Next Steps
To become an electrician in Oregon, you’ll need to complete both classroom training and extensive on-the-job experience. The best path is through a school or apprenticeship program recognized by the Oregon Building Codes Division.
Here’s what you should do next:
Review the schools listed above.
Contact two or three programs that fit your location and schedule.
Ask about application deadlines and entry requirements.
Apply to an approved electrician program or apprenticeship.
The sooner you start, the sooner you can get licensed and working in the trade.
Electrician Wages and Workforce in Oregon
In Oregon, Electrician programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $101,310 per year, and most earn between $59,550 and $131,530 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Oregon employs roughly 10,590 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 1.11 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving Oregon include Clackamas Community College, Tillamook Bay Community College, and Umpqua Community College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Electrician Training and Licensing in Oregon
Licensing for Electrician varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Oregon licensing board before you enroll; many employers also look for recognized industry certifications.
Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does electrician training in Oregon involve?
Electrician training in Oregon is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.
How much do electricians earn in Oregon?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), electricians in Oregon earned a median annual wage of approximately $101,310. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $59,550 to $131,530 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the Oregon license or certification process for electricians?
Licensing for electricians in Oregon is administered by Bureau of Labor and Industries. Most candidates complete an approved training program or registered apprenticeship, log the required on-the-job hours, and pass a state exam. Confirm current hour totals, fees, and renewal terms directly with the licensing agency before enrolling. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor CareerOneStop license database.)
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/.
