How to Become a Woodworker in Oregon (2026)
Oregon employs about 2,190 woodworkers earning a median $46,910 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most woodworkers train through an approved program before entering the field in Oregon.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Oregon): $46,910/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Oregon: 2,190 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 2.25x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: -1.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Woodworker Schools in Oregon
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah Valley University | 80.2 | Contact school for pricing | $66,978 | 43% | Yes* | 636 mi |
| 2 | College of Southern Idaho | 68.2 | Contact school for pricing | $46,129 | 34% | Yes* | 432 mi |
| 3 | Bates Technical College | 65.2 | $6,027 - $18,837 | Not reported | 43% | Yes* | 152 mi |
| 4 | Seattle Central College | 55.0 | Contact school for pricing | $60,072 | 31% | — | 177 mi |
| 5 | Salt Lake Community College | 51.6 | Contact school for pricing | $55,279 | 29% | Yes* | 611 mi |
| 6 | American River College | 51.4 | Contact school for pricing | $74,069 | 35% | Yes* | 447 mi |
| 7 | College of the Redwoods | 42.3 | $1,198 - $15,504 | $37,636 | 30% | Yes* | 307 mi |
| 8 | Mendocino College | 28.3 | Contact school for pricing | $59,296 | 28% | — | 408 mi |
| 9 | Bakersfield College | 24.0 | Contact school for pricing | $51,238 | 22% | — | 691 mi |
| 10 | Laney College | 17.6 | Contact school for pricing | $50,151 | 34% | — | 502 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 2,190 woodworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,910 1. The state’s concentration of woodworker jobs is 2.25x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Woodworker in Oregon, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (Oregon): $46,910 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Woodworker in Oregon
How to become a Woodworker in Oregon? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for woodworkers in Oregon.
How long does it take? woodworker training length in Oregon varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do woodworkers earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Oregon is $46,910 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,610 and experienced professionals can earn $58,660 or more 1.
How to Become a Woodworker in Oregon
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Oregon training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved woodworker program in Oregon that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to woodworkers in Oregon before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Woodworker Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), cabinetmakers and bench carpenters 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 | 1,730 | $49,598 | $50,655 | $38,924 | $62,016 |
| Eugene-Springfield | 510 | $45,229 | $46,986 | $37,804 | $55,994 |
| Salem | 500 | $46,041 | $45,842 | $37,942 | $57,144 |
| Bend | 380 | $48,080 | $47,810 | $31,090 | $58,650 |
| Medford | 180 | $48,647 | $48,967 | $38,043 | $58,423 |
| Albany | 170 | $46,042 | $46,296 | $37,175 | $56,568 |
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 woodworkers in Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 2,190 woodworkers 1. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
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 woodworkers earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for woodworkers in Oregon is $46,910, which is $890 above the national median of $46,020 according to BLS data 1.
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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
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |