Carpentry Schools in Oregon

Carpenters are responsible for various luxuries that we enjoy today. The products they produce beautify our environments and play important functional roles that help us improve productivity and even prolong our lifespans.

Oregon residents interested in becoming plumbers will be glad to know that they only have to fulfill a handful of requirements before they can start their careers and enjoy the numerous benefits of being a carpenter in the state.

In the upcoming sections, we look at all of these requirements, including possible alternatives for the most comprehensive introduction to the field. Interested individuals will also discover the best ways to secure career growth opportunities and the possible salary projections for both new and experienced carpenters in Oregon.

How to Become a Carpenter in Oregon

Successful carpenters in Oregon typically start their careers by going through the steps below:

Basic Requirements

A high school diploma or GED is the basic requirement for starting a carpentry career in Oregon. This is necessary to secure admission into a training program.

In high school, candidates may participate in carpentry classes and pay special attention to mathematics and geometry classes.

Carpentry Training

Carpentry training for interested individuals in Oregon typically takes two forms: apprenticeship and academic training.

Apprenticeship Training

Most carpenters in Oregon begin their careers through apprenticeship training. These programs, organized by trade unions and professional organizations, emphasize real-world experience and hands-on training.

Of course, candidates will also spend some time in the classroom learning the fundamental principles of the occupation.

Typical carpentry apprenticeship programs in the state take 2 - 4 years to complete.

Academic Training

Another way to receive carpentry training is to attend a community college or trade school for basic carpentry or construction technology training. Most of these programs take a similar approach to apprenticeship in their attempt to provide students with solid classroom training before introducing them to carpentry concepts in the real world.

During training, carpentry students will learn safety, mathematics, blueprint reading, rough framing, and interior and exterior finishing.

Employment

Carpenters in Oregon may seek employment in several capacities, including residential and commercial positions. They can also specialize further in areas such as windows and cabinet making.

Below, we explore some of the licensure requirements expected of carpenters looking to branch out and take on significant contracts.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Become a welder in Oregon

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The Oregon Construction Contractors Board is responsible for issuing contractor licenses to carpenters in the state. While regular carpenters in the state are not expected to become licensed as contractors, this is necessary to take on large contracts.

The board issues three contractor licenses for carpenters: residential contractor license, commercial contractor license, and dual residential and commercial license.

The residential contractor license applies to homes and remodeling, the commercial license applies to offices, retail spaces, and multifamily houses, and the dual category allows carpenters to work on residential and commercial projects.

Top Carpentry Schools in Oregon

Explore carpentry schools in Oregon by city:

• Carpentry schools in Portland

Salary & Career Outlook

Most carpenters in Oregon who are just starting their careers will either fall among the average earners in the state or among the bottom 10%. Those who fall among the bottom 10% typically earn an annual average salary of $50,512, while those who fall among the average earners tend to take home an annual average salary of $67,790.

However, with more time on the job, a carpenter in the state can increase their annual average salary to around $90,979—the figure for the top 10%.

Even though it is possible to increase potential salary earnings with time, experience is not the only factor that comes into play here.

Experience, credentials, and establishment of employment are other factors that must be considered.

Considering location, Tigard, Bend, and Portland are the cities with the highest pay for carpenters in Oregon. They earn annual average salaries of $85,407, $79,725, and $70,013, respectively.

Hillsboro and Beaverton are notable cities with annual average salaries of $68,422 and $66,199, respectively.