How to Become a Lineworker in Oregon (2026)

Oregon employs about 1,640 lineworkers earning a median $131,090 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most lineworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Oregon.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (Oregon): $131,090/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in Oregon: 1,640 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 0.99x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 6.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

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Oregon employs approximately 1,640 lineworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $131,090 1. Nationally, lineworker employment is projected to grow 6.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Lineworker in Oregon, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Oregon): $131,090 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Lineworker in Oregon

How to become a Lineworker in Oregon? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for lineworkers in Oregon.

How long does it take? Most paths into the lineworker field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do lineworkers earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for lineworkers in Oregon is $131,090 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $77,330 and experienced professionals can earn $153,860 or more 1.

How to Become a Lineworker in Oregon

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Oregon training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Oregon that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to lineworkers in Oregon before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Lineworker Apprenticeship Information in Oregon

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Oregon’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Apprenticeship and Training Division, Oregon State Bureau of Labor and Industries
  • Address: 1800 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97201
  • Phone: (971) 245-3844
  • Email: [email protected]

Lineworker Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electrical power-line installers and repairers wages in Oregon vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro810$135,300$125,220$79,650$161,180
Salem180$134,500$118,840$58,750$157,200
Eugene-Springfield120$140,270$131,940$97,530$151,780
Bend80$132,010$124,480$65,620$159,820
Medford50$128,030$113,850$60,320$148,420
Albany40$128,690$115,190$69,550$154,170

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for lineworkers in Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 1,640 lineworkers 1. Nationally, lineworker employment is projected to grow 6.6% 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 programs in Oregon. You can also contact the Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do lineworkers earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for lineworkers in Oregon is $131,090, which is $38,530 above the national median of $92,560 according to BLS data 1.

In Oregon

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Oregon Apprenticeship and Training Division: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/apprenticeship/pages/apprenticeship-opportunities.aspx ↩︎

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)