How to Become a Steamfitter in Oregon (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Oregon employs about 5,370 steamfitters earning a median $97,050 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most steamfitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Oregon.

Compare Steamfitter Schools in Oregon

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
175.8$1,332 in-state / $11,384 out-of-state$69,86161%Yes*520 mi
269.3$1,312 in-state / $10,320 out-of-state$50,56949%Yes*490 mi
366.6$3,390 in-state / $6,750 out-of-state$55,12339%Yes*529 mi
465.3Contact school for pricing$63,92379%—139 mi
558.8$4,718 in-state / $5,270 out-of-state$44,05637%Yes*215 mi
656.1$4,168 in-state / $12,834 out-of-state$50,40341%Yes*428 mi
752.6$1,438 in-state / $12,500 out-of-state$55,28139%—530 mi
851.4$1,288 in-state / $12,616 out-of-state$74,06937%Yes*447 mi
946.4$3,396 in-state / $8,736 out-of-state$50,31238%Yes*324 mi
1044.5$1,696 in-state / $14,656 out-of-state$60,85940%—507 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location 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.

Oregon employs approximately 5,370 steamfitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $97,050 1. Nationally, steamfitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Steamfitter 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): $97,050 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Steamfitter in Oregon

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

How long does it take? Most paths into the steamfitter 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 steamfitters earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for steamfitters in Oregon is $97,050 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $58,230 and experienced professionals can earn $147,100 or more 1.

How to Become a Steamfitter 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 as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Oregon.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Oregon, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

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

Steamfitter 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]

Steamfitter Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Oregon vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro4,600$101,010$100,710$57,640$147,100
Salem440$80,610$79,510$48,330$97,700
Bend240$92,330$86,420$59,370$113,030
Eugene-Springfield210$84,910$80,800$47,520$102,500
Medford200$78,440$78,000$45,880$105,110
Albany130$84,620$80,820$46,790$103,730
Corvallis80$80,400$78,480$58,110$94,530

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 steamfitters in Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 5,370 steamfitters 1. Nationally, steamfitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% 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 steamfitters earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for steamfitters in Oregon is $97,050, which is $34,080 above the national median of $62,970 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)