Firefighter Apprenticeship in Oregon

Wages, programs & career outlook
OR Median Salary
$73,270/yr
+23% vs. national
National Median
$59,530/yr
OR Employment
3,660
Firefighters employed
OR Sponsors
249
Registered programs

Oregon Wage Spread

Annual wages for Firefighters in Oregon across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$35,010
25th %ile
$53,390
Median
$73,270
75th %ile
$91,460
90th %ile
$102,920

Firefighter Apprenticeship in Oregon

Firefighters in Oregon earn a median of $73,270/yr — 52% above the national all-occupation median of $48,060. That puts this apprenticeship path well into upper-middle-income territory for the state.

Compared to the $59,530 national median for Firefighters, Oregon pays 23% more. The state ranks among the top-paying markets for this trade nationally.

Employment for Firefighters is projected to grow 3.4% through 2034, roughly in line with the overall economy. About 27,100 positions open annually through both growth and replacement.

Only 3,660 Firefighters work in Oregon — 1.1% of the national total. The limited scale can mean fewer formal apprenticeship programs, pushing some candidates toward nearby states with larger trade economies.

Hybrid apprenticeships for Firefighters combine the structure of time-based training with the flexibility of competency milestones. Plan on 2 years, though strong performers in emergency protocols, physical fitness standards, and certification exams sometimes finish earlier.

The 249 registered sponsors in Oregon provide functional apprenticeship coverage for most of the state's population centers. Trade unions and contractor groups account for the majority of placements.

The 10th-to-90th percentile gap for Firefighters in Oregon ($35,010 to $102,920) covers $67,910. Moving up that curve comes from years on the job, foreman promotions, and contractor relationships.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Oregon

249 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Oregon. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
AREA II LTD ENERGY ELECTRICAL JATC Albany
MID-VALLEY STEAMFITTERS/PIPEFITTERS JATC Albany
MID-WILLAMETTE INDUSTRIAL TATC Albany
NATIONAL FROZEN FOODS JATC Albany
The Ammonia Refrigeration Consortium c/o RETA Albany Linn County
WorkSource - Albany Albany
Lomakatsi Restoration Project Ashland Jackson County
NORTH COAST PLUMBERS JATC Astoria
COLUMBIA HELICOPTER INC JATC Aurora
BAKER TECHNICAL INSTITUTE JATC Baker City
WorkSource Oregon - Baker City Baker City
CITY OF BANDON & IBEW LOCAL 659 JATC Bandon
LEUPOLD & STEVENS OF BEAVERTON JATC Beaverton
AREA VII LTD RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL JATC Bend
BMS Technologies Bend
Bend Vocational Rehabilitation Bend
East Cascades Workforce Investment Board Bend
Pacific Power & LU 125 JATC Bend
Rock Supremacy, LLC Bend
SOUTHERN OR ELECTRICAL UTILITIES JATC Bend
The Oxford Hotel Bend
WorkSource Oregon - Deschutes County - Bend Bend
South Coast Lumber Co. (SOCOMI) Brookings
WorkSource Oregon - Curry County Brookings
WorkSource Oregon - Burns Burns
+ 5 more sponsors in Oregon

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Firefighters make in Oregon?
The BLS reports a median wage of $73,270/yr for Firefighters in Oregon (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
How long is a Firefighter apprenticeship?
Most Firefighter apprenticeships run 2 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
Should I do a Firefighter apprenticeship or go to trade school?
An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn over 2 years with no tuition cost. Trade school is faster (6-24 months) but costs money upfront. Both can lead to the same journeyman credential.
Is there demand for Firefighters?
The BLS projects 3.4% employment growth for Firefighters through 2034 — steady demand. About 27100 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
How do I find a Firefighter apprenticeship in Oregon?
There are 249 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Oregon. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
Do Firefighter apprentices get paid during training?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $36,635/yr in Oregon). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Firefighter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Oregon

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.