How much does a contractor make in Oregon?
Oregon continues to grow year after year. And with more people relocating to the state, demand continues for new or improved residences and commercial spaces. That means that Oregon contractors can expect plenty of work in the coming years.
But can they expect plenty of pay? We’ve built this guide to help you understand how much money contractors make in Oregon based on the type of work they do. Whether you’re considering a career as a contractor or you want to make sure that what you’re earning is in line with the industry standard, you’ve come to the right place.
Construction salary averages
Before we get into the specifics of Oregon contractor salaries, it’s first helpful to take a step back and look at what construction professionals earn across the country. Because the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes data for average hourly earnings and annual salaries, we can pretty accurately place a finger on the pulse of contractor earnings nationwide.
- Entry-level construction work: The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the average construction laborer or helper earns roughly $17 an hour or about $36,000 annually. That’s pretty far below the statewide Oregon salary average of $55,000, but remember, this is for an entry-level job that doesn’t require anything beyond a high school degree. Plus, the Bureau anticipates faster-than-average job growth (5%) over the next decade for construction laborers.
- Construction managers: Now, let’s look at the top end of contractor earnings. To reach the level of a construction manager, you’ll probably need a Bachelor’s degree and plenty of experience. But once you make it, you’re in the range of salaries of more than $95,000 a year, or nearly $46 an hour. On top of that, construction managers are looking at 8% job growth, much faster than average, over the next decade.
Long story short, contractors earn anywhere from $36,000 to nearly six figures. But does that hold true in Oregon? Let’s find out.
Average contractor salaries in Oregon
Across the board, Indeed says the average Oregonian contractor earns about $47,500 a year. But that doesn’t give you an accurate picture of earning potential because contractor pay varies so widely depending on the type of contracting work you do and your experience level.
So let’s look at specific professions and their respective salaries.
Residential vs. commercial construction workers
If you’re considering a career in construction, you might be wondering if one type of project will be more lucrative than another. There’s a chance commercial construction could be the better-paying gig, according to data from ZipRecruiter. They say that residential construction workers earn about $15 an hour for an annual salary of just north of $33,500. But they put the commercial construction workers’ average hourly rate at $17 an hour, or just over $43,000 a year.
Roofers
The data points here give a pretty broad range for roofers’ pay in Oregon. On the lower end, Salary.com says they earn about $36,500 a year. But Indeed puts their earnings much higher at roughly $44,500 per year.
Ultimately, the amount you earn as a roofer will depend on the number and scale of jobs you can book and your experience level.
General contractors
Again, we’re going to give you a bit of a range here. Indeed says that the average general contractor in Oregon earns just over $81,500, while ZipRecruiter puts the average a fair bit higher, at $92,000.
It’s important to note, though, that these figures are representative licensed GCs. Without the license, you could lose about one-third of your earnings. On top of that, undertaking construction projects without a license is illegal in Oregon.
Remodeling contractors
If you decide to focus on remodeling construction projects, you can expect to earn around $52,000 a year.
Unlicensed contractors
As we’ve mentioned before, working without a license from the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) is illegal. While some people do it, if you get found out, it can cost you thousands of dollars in fines.
Ultimately, it’s not worth it. Especially since the CCB allows you to do the required pre-license training online, and you can take online, on-demand courses for the continuing education hours you need, too. In short, getting and maintaining your CCB contractor license is easier than ever before.
Complete your hours online from your computer, tablet, or even your phone. Then, you’ll have no problem keeping your CCB license current. And that will enable you to earn the comfortable Oregon contractor salaries we’ve outlined above, bringing home a solid living.