Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary
The median pay for a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Oregon is $97,050/year ($46.66/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $147K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.44), that's roughly $94,738 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,555/month, or 25.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Oregon. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in Oregon?
About plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
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What this looks like in Oregon
Oregon sits well above the national pay line for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, local pay runs about 52% higher than the U.S. median of $64K. Rent runs $1,555/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.44) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Oregon
Entry-level plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $147K or more, a $89K spread from bottom to top.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by metro in Oregon
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $101K | +4% | 4,600 |
| Bend | $92K | -5% | 240 |
| Eugene-Springfield | $85K | -13% | 210 |
| Albany | $85K | -13% | 130 |
| Salem | $81K | -17% | 440 |
| Corvallis | $80K | -17% | 80 |
| Medford | $78K | -19% | 200 |
Compare to other states
Track plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Oregon numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitter afford a 2BR apartment alone in Oregon?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 27.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,555/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in Oregon?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters typically earn — is $58K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,494/month. At HUD’s $1,555/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitter a high-paying job in Oregon?
Local pay is 52% above the national median — $97K here vs. $64K nationally.
How does Oregon compare to the national average for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters?
Oregon pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s +52%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.44), the purchasing-power equivalent is $95K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in Oregon?
The median is $97,050 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,230, and experienced plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters can clear $147,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Oregon?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,725/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,555/month, which eats 27.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary go in Oregon?
Oregon has a Regional Price Parity of 102.44 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary is worth about $94,738 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
