How long does cdl truck driver training take in Oregon?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in Oregon through FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Oregon (2026)

Q: How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Oregon?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in Oregon earned a median annual wage of approximately $61,980.

Q: Do CDL truck drivers need a license in Oregon?

Yes. Oregon requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in Oregon?

Oregon currently employs approximately 23,970 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Oregon employs about 23,970 CDL truck drivers earning a median $61,980 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a CDL Truck Driver here means completing FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years, then applying through Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in Oregon

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 page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Grays Harbor College	71.6	$5,593 - $15,708	$46,936	35%	Yes*	146 mi
2	Walla Walla Community College	70.4	Contact school for pricing	$56,719	43%	Yes*	213 mi
3	Spokane Community College	68.4	Contact school for pricing	$52,567	35%	Yes*	302 mi
4	Big Bend Community College	66.7	Contact school for pricing	$48,868	39%	Yes*	208 mi
5	Lower Columbia College	66.5	$4,626 - $16,169	$52,301	24%	Yes*	78 mi
6	Perry Technical Institute	65.3	Contact school for pricing	$63,923	78%	—	139 mi
7	Bates Technical College	65.2	$6,027 - $18,837	Not reported	43%	Yes*	152 mi
8	Columbia Basin College	61.3	$6,555 - $18,261	$67,608	30%	—	180 mi
9	Peninsula College	58.8	Contact school for pricing	$44,056	39%	Yes*	215 mi
10	Centralia College	56.5	Contact school for pricing	$52,981	44%	—	117 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 23,970 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,980 ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 237,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a CDL Truck Driver in Oregon, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: ELDT from a Training Provider Registry school (find programs)
Typical timeline: FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years
Licensing authority: Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (Oregon): $61,980 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Oregon

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in Oregon? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services.

How long does it take? Most people finish FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services.

Do I need a license in Oregon? Yes. Oregon credentials this role through Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Oregon is $61,980 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,700 and experienced professionals can earn $81,220 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in Oregon

Meet age, record, and medical rules. Interstate CDL driving is generally 21 and up; many states allow intrastate CDL at 18. Pass a DOT medical exam from an NRCME examiner.
Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test. Earn a commercial learner’s permit, practice, then pass the skills test at the state driver-license office.
Receive the CDL and endorsements. The state issues the CDL. Add endorsements the job needs. Confirm current rules with the state DMV, not a parent transportation agency homepage.

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

CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in Oregon

CDL truck drivers in Oregon complete FMCSA ELDT, pass a DOT medical exam, and earn a state-issued CDL. This is a weeks-long path, not a multi-year apprenticeship. See Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services ³.

Typical path

Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.
Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test.
Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in Oregon vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	14,370	$63,800	$66,890	$49,090	$85,590
Salem	2,170	$60,580	$61,480	$47,700	$77,630
Eugene-Springfield	1,810	$58,480	$59,410	$47,230	$73,520
Medford	1,440	$58,220	$59,830	$43,850	$76,810
Bend	1,120	$61,220	$63,040	$49,680	$75,940
Albany	830	$60,180	$62,020	$47,420	$78,540
Corvallis	190	$59,610	$60,150	$44,590	$74,470
Grants Pass	170	$58,980	$58,940	$44,730	$73,810

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 CDL truck drivers in Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 23,970 CDL truck drivers ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cdl truck driver in Oregon with an out-of-state license? Contact the Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in Oregon is $61,980, which is $4,540 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Oregon

Best Trade Schools in Oregon (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Oregon

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

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Oregon Department of Transportation - Driver and Motor Vehicle Services - Licensing Information: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / 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)