How to Become A Bookkeeper in Oregon

Oregon employs approximately 21,710 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $54,060 1. The state’s concentration of bookkeeper jobs is 1.25x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a bookkeeper in Oregon, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Bookkeeper in Oregon

How do I become a bookkeeper in Oregon? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in Oregon.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do bookkeepers earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Oregon is $54,060 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,750 and experienced professionals can earn $74,600 or more 1.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Oregon): $54,060 per year 1

Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks wages in Oregon vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro12,170$57,040$57,700$40,260$75,490
Salem2,230$54,420$56,950$38,560$77,870
Eugene-Springfield1,780$49,670$52,010$35,810$68,670
Bend1,420$54,900$56,430$37,880$76,740
Medford1,340$49,270$51,210$36,020$66,410
Albany540$50,820$53,080$36,900$71,090
Corvallis370$50,870$53,750$38,630$70,490
Grants Pass370$49,270$51,470$36,010$71,340

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Bookkeepers in Oregon

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest bookkeeper employment within Oregon according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro12,170$57,040
Salem2,230$54,420
Eugene-Springfield1,780$49,670
Bend1,420$54,900
Medford1,340$49,270

Explore bookkeeper programs in Portland, Salem, and Eugene.

Explore More Trades in Oregon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 21,710 bookkeepers 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Oregon? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Oregon.

How much do bookkeepers earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Oregon is $54,060, which is $4,850 above the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data 1.

Citations

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/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)