Plumber in Beaverton, OR

The Salary Picture: Where Beaverton Stands

Let's cut to the chase: plumbing is a solid, blue-collar career in the Pacific Northwest, and Beaverton is a strong market within the broader Portland metro area. You're not coming here to get rich overnight, but you can build a very comfortable, stable life. The data you need is specific, so let's lay it out.

City-Specific Data:

• Median Salary: $64,604/year
• Hourly Rate: $31.06/hour
• National Average: $63,350/year
• Jobs in Metro: 193 (This is a key metric—it's a healthy, active job market for the trade.)
• 10-Year Job Growth: 6% (Slightly above the national average for plumbers, indicating steady demand.)

Beaverton sits comfortably within the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan statistical area. The $64,604 median is slightly above the $63,350 national average, which makes sense given Oregon's higher cost of living and strong demand for skilled trades in a growing region.

Experience-Level Breakdown

While the median is a great benchmark, your earning potential climbs with experience and specialization. Here’s a realistic breakdown based on local industry patterns and union wage scales (like those from UA Local 290, which covers Portland and surrounding areas).

Experience Level	Typical Years in Trade	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Notes
Entry-Level Apprentice	0-2	$38,000 - $52,000	Starting wage, often union-mandated increases. Focus is on learning and safety.
Mid-Level Journeyman	2-5	$62,000 - $78,000	Licensed and independent. The $64,604 median fits here.
Senior Technician	5-10	$75,000 - $95,000+	Specialization (e.g., medical gas, commercial) or lead foreman roles.
Expert/Owner	10+	$90,000 - $130,000+	Master plumber, business owner, or high-level consultant. Top earners often have their own shops.

Insider Tip: Many local companies, especially union shops, have a clear wage progression tied to hours completed and certification tests. It’s not just time—it’s skill acquisition. Don't just clock hours; master the code.

Comparison to Other Oregon Cities

Beaverton is a sweet spot. It’s more affordable than Portland proper but offers comparable wages and access to the same job pool. Here’s how it stacks up:

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg = 100)	Key Takeaway
Beaverton	$64,604	106.6	Strong value: Wages slightly above nat'l avg, CoL moderately above.
Portland	~$66,500	~112.2	Higher pay, but significantly higher rent and traffic.
Eugene	~$61,800	~105.0	Lower pay, but still a solid market with a different pace.
Salem	~$60,200	~101.5	More affordable, but more limited job variety and lower top-end pay.
Medford	~$58,000	~98.5	Lower cost of living, but wages trail the metro area.

Verdict: Beaverton offers the best balance for plumbers who want metro-level wages without the full Portland price tag.

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The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $64,604 salary sounds good, but let’s see what it looks like on the ground in Beaverton. We'll base this on the state's average tax burden and local rent data.

Assumptions for a Single Filer:

• Gross Annual: $64,604
• Federal Tax (est.): ~$5,800 (after standard deduction)
• State Tax (OR): ~$4,500 (Oregon has a progressive income tax)
• FICA (7.65%): ~$4,940
• Health Insurance (est.): $3,600/year ($300/month) - Common cost for employer-sponsored plans.

Estimated Monthly Take-Home: ~$3,670

Now, let’s factor in the local cost of living, starting with the biggest expense: rent.

• Average 1BR Rent in Beaverton: $1,545/month
• Cost of Living Index: 106.6 (100 is US average). This means Beaverton is about 6.6% more expensive than the national average, largely driven by housing.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $64,604

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$3,670	After taxes, health insurance.
Rent (1BR)	$1,545	Average for a decent, modern apartment.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water)	$180	Beaverton has mild winters, but the rainy season can bump gas/electric.
Groceries	$400	No sales tax in OR helps.
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	Assumes a modest used car. Insurance is higher in OR.
Gas/Transit	$150	If you commute to Portland or Hillsboro.
Misc. (Phone, Internet, Car Maintenance)	$300
Renters Insurance	$20
Total Expenses	$3,095
Remaining for Savings/Debt/Entertainment	$575

Can they afford to buy a home?
This is the key question. In Beaverton, the median home price is around $525,000. A 20% down payment is $105,000. On a $64,604 salary, a lender would likely approve a mortgage of around $280,000-$300,000. You'd be looking at a smaller, older home or a condo, and you'd need a substantial down payment. It's not impossible, especially with a partner, but it's a significant financial stretch on a single plumber's income at the median level. However, as you move into the Senior or Expert level, homeownership in Beaverton becomes much more attainable.

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Where the Jobs Are: Beaverton's Major Employers

Beaverton is part of the dynamic Tualatin Valley. The job market is a mix of large commercial/industrial employers, residential service companies, and municipal work. Here are the key players:

1. U.A. Local 290: This is the plumbers and pipefitters union for Portland and surrounding areas. Their training center is in Beaverton, and they are the primary pathway for apprenticeship. They have contracts with major hospitals, Intel, Nike, and data centers. Hiring Trend: Steady. They are always taking apprentices, but competition is high. Journeyman placement is strong if you complete their program.

2. Amazon Web Services (AWS) & Intel: Both have massive data center campuses in Hillsboro and surrounding areas. These projects are constant, large-scale, and require specialized high-pressure and cleanroom piping. Hiring Trend: Heavy and continuous. These are prime jobs for union members and specialized commercial plumbers.

3. Nike World Headquarters (Just up the road in Beaverton): A massive, ever-expanding campus with its own utility infrastructure. They employ in-house maintenance plumbers and use a network of contractors for construction and renovation. Hiring Trend: In-house jobs are rare and competitive, but contractor opportunities are frequent.

4. Providence Health & Services (Portland Metro): Providence has major hospitals in Portland and Hillsboro. They require specialized medical gas, RO/DI water, and sterile plumbing systems. Hiring Trend: High demand for plumbers with medical gas certification (ASSE 6010). This is a high-value specialty.

5. Local Municipalities (City of Beaverton, Washington County): Municipalities hire plumbers for water and sewer line maintenance, public building maintenance, and capital projects. Hiring Trend: Stable government jobs with great benefits, but openings are less frequent. They often post on governmentjobs.com.

6. Residential Service Companies (e.g., Roth Heating & Cooling, Comfort Flow): These are the backbone of the local plumbing industry, handling everything from leaky faucets to full home repipes. Hiring Trend: Consistently high. There's always a demand for residential service plumbers. Many start here after apprenticeship.

7. Data Center Operators (e.g., Digital Realty, Switch): Similar to AWS/Intel, these companies have large facilities in Hillsboro and North Plains. They need plumbers for cooling systems, fire suppression, and general facility plumbing. Hiring Trend: Growing. The data center boom in the region is a long-term job engine for plumbers.

Insider Tip: The best jobs often aren't advertised on Indeed. Union jobs are listed on Local 290's website. Municipal jobs are on government sites. For commercial/industrial, it's all about networking through the union or former apprenticeship classmates.

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Getting Licensed in OR

Oregon has a clear, structured path to licensure, managed by the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD). It's a process that takes time but is well-defined.

The Path:

1. Apprenticeship: You must complete an approved apprenticeship program. This is typically a 4-year, 8,000-hour program. You can work through the union (UA Local 290) or a non-union company. You'll also complete 288 hours of classroom training per year.
2. Journeyman Plumber License: After finishing your apprenticeship, you must pass the Oregon State Plumbing Code exam and the National Standard Plumbing Code exam (or the NASCLA exam). The cost for these exams is approximately $200-$300 total.
3. Master Plumber License: Requires at least two years as a licensed journeyman and passing the Master Plumber exam (another ~$200).
4. Contractor's License: If you want to start your own business, you'll need a Commercial Contractor License from the Oregon CCB. This requires passing a business law exam and having a surety bond ($15,000 for a residential contractor).

Costs & Timeline:

• Apprenticeship: 4 years. You earn while you learn, starting at a percentage of the journeyman wage (often 40-50%).
• Exam Fees: $400 - $600 total for all licensure exams.
• Initial Licensing Fees: The BCD charges a fee for issuing the license, typically around $100.
• Total Time to Journeyman: 4 years is the standard, though you can sometimes test out slightly early with exceptional performance and hours.

Insider Tip: Oregon's code is unique. Even if you're licensed in another state, you'll need to learn Oregon's specific amendments to the plumbing code. The state exam is heavily focused on local code compliance.

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Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live will affect your commute, rent, and lifestyle. Beaverton is diverse, and each neighborhood has its own character.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Best For...
Beaverton Central	Urban, walkable. Close to the MAX light rail (Red Line) into downtown Portland. Easy access to jobs in Hillsboro.	$1,550 - $1,800	Plumbers who want a city feel, easy transit, and don't mind a slightly higher rent.
Raleigh Hills	Suburban residential, quiet. Mostly single-family homes. Good schools. Slightly farther from MAX, but easy highway access.	$1,400 - $1,600	Those looking for a quieter, more traditional neighborhood. A good mix of older and newer housing stock.
South Beaverton	Family-oriented, very suburban. Close to I-5 and I-217, making commutes to Portland or Tualatin easy.	$1,450 - $1,700	Plumbers with families or who want more space. Slightly longer commute to Hillsboro.
Cedar Hills	Hilly, established, with a mix of mid-century and newer homes. Close to the Tualatin River and parks.	$1,500 - $1,750	Those who enjoy privacy and nature in a suburban setting. Good for homeowners, but rentals exist.
Tualatin (Just South)	A bit more affordable, with its own downtown and lake. Commute to Beaverton is 15-20 mins via I-5 or I-217.	$1,350 - $1,550	Plumbers seeking better value and a slightly slower pace, willing to accept a short commute.

Insider Tip: If you work for a union shop or on the Hillsboro data center projects, living in Beaverton Central or Raleigh Hills can minimize your commute. If you're focused on residential service, any of these neighborhoods work, as you'll be driving all over the metro area anyway.

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The Long Game: Career Growth

A plumber's career in Beaverton isn't stagnant. The path to higher earnings is through specialization and moving from the tools to management or ownership.

Specialty Premiums:

• Medical Gas Installation (ASSE 6010): Highly valued in hospitals and labs. Can add $5-$10/hour to your wage.
• Backflow Prevention: A required certification for many commercial properties. Every technician should get this. It opens doors to inspection and maintenance contracts.
• Industrial/Commercial Piping: Working with high-pressure systems, stainless steel, or specialized materials (like for data centers) commands a premium over standard residential service work.
• Fire Sprinkler Systems (Fitter): This is often a separate license but overlaps with pipefitting. The work is steady and pays well.

Advancement Paths:

1. Foreman/Supervisor: Move from doing the work to managing a crew. Requires strong organizational and people skills. Pay bump to $80,000 - $100,000+.
2. Estimator/Project Manager: For the commercially-inclined. You move into the office, calculating costs and timelines for bids. Pay can reach $85,000 - $110,000.
3. Business Owner: The ultimate goal for many. With a master plumber's license and contractor's license, you can start your own residential service or specialty contracting company. The ceiling is high, but so is the risk and workload.

10-Year Outlook (6% Growth):
The 6% growth is driven by several local factors:

• Aging Infrastructure: Beaverton, like much of Oregon, has older homes and water lines needing replacement.
• Data Center Boom: The Hillsboro area is a global hub for semiconductors and data centers. This means constant, large-scale construction and maintenance projects.
• Population Growth: The Portland metro continues to grow, increasing demand for new housing and commercial buildings.
• Retirements: An aging demographic of plumbers means openings will need to be filled.

Insider Tip: Your long-term growth is less about the title and more about the network. The relationships you build as an apprentice—with foremen, inspectors, and suppliers—are what lead to the best opportunities down the line.

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The Verdict: Is Beaverton Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Wages vs. Cost: The $64,604 median provides a manageable life, especially compared to Portland.	Housing Cost: Buying a home is a major challenge on a single median income. Rent is high.
Job Market: 193 jobs and 6% growth mean steady work and options.	Traffic & Commute: The I-5 and US-26 corridors are notoriously congested. Your commute can be brutal.
Training Infrastructure: Home to UA Local 290's training center and a wide array of employers.	Competition for Top Jobs: The best union and specialty positions are competitive.
Lifestyle & Amenities: Access to Portland's food, culture, and outdoor activities (hiking, skiing, coast) without living in downtown.	Rain & Gray: The Pacific Northwest weather is a real factor for people used to sun. It can be a mental drain.
Stability: The local economy is diversified between tech (Intel, Nike), healthcare, and municipal work, insulating it from single-industry downturns.	Licensing Rigor: Oregon's code is specific and strict. You must be a meticulous student of the rules.

Final Recommendation:
Beaverton is an excellent choice for the journeyman plumber who is ready to specialize and build a long-term career. It's a place for people who value