What this means Our calculation
15 of 18 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electricians at $99,880. Prices run 4% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth less than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is about the same as most metros (4.3%) and the population is growing faster than most (+4.4% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Corvallis Government data
All 18 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $99,880 | +60% | $96,023 | 80 | #9 |
| Construction Supervisor | $86,450 | +12% | $83,111 | 100 | #78 |
| Plumber | $80,400 | +31% | $77,295 | 80 | #56 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $76,830 | +20% | $73,863 | 30 | #36 |
| Building Inspector | $75,950 | +13% | $73,017 | 40 | #92 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $65,010 | +4% | $62,499 | 50 | #119 |
| HVAC Technician | $63,720 | +7% | $61,259 | 40 | #88 |
| Carpenter | $63,290 | +13% | $60,846 | 260 | #81 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $62,460 | +3% | $60,048 | 40 | #120 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $61,780 | +4% | $59,394 | 60 | #153 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $60,420 | -9% | $58,087 | 40 | #168 |
| Welder | $57,350 | +10% | $55,135 | 60 | #112 |
| Auto Mechanic | $54,330 | +11% | $52,232 | 130 | #101 |
| Maintenance Technician | $52,000 | +8% | $49,992 | 340 | #105 |
| Machinist | $51,110 | -10% | $49,136 | 30 | #267 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,800 | +2% | $45,954 | 150 | #174 |
| Painter | $47,260 | -1% | $45,435 | 40 | #196 |
| Landscaper | $40,720 | +8% | $39,147 | 230 | #107 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Corvallis
The Corvallis area has about 41,644 homes. 50% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 13% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 62% of households own their home, and the median home value is $566,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Corvallis Government data
In an average year, Corvallis has 14 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 83 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 110 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 5 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 80°F and winter nights 28°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Corvallis Water Bureau, OR station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.3% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Corvallis area's population grew 4.4% from 2020 to 2025 (93,602 → 97,728), ranking #113 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +4,447) account for more than all of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Corvallis are up 70% from 2021 to 2025 (284 → 484). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Corvallis area is 20 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 9% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 58% drive alone, 2% take transit and 21% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Oregon Official source
The main state licensing office in Oregon is the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Oregon licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 15.1% of wage and salary workers in Oregon were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#7 of 51 states and D.C.), and 16.9% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Oregon.