What this means Our calculation
26 of 30 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is electrical lineworkers at $140,270. Prices run 2% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth less than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (5.1%) and the population is shrinking (-0.7% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Eugene Government data
All 30 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Lineworker | $140,270 | +45% | $138,105 | 120 | #2 |
| Electrician | $94,680 | +52% | $93,218 | 750 | #20 |
| Ironworker | $92,580 | +45% | $91,151 | 40 | #21 |
| Construction Supervisor | $90,280 | +17% | $88,886 | 520 | #67 |
| Plumber | $84,910 | +38% | $83,599 | 210 | #33 |
| Building Inspector | $77,860 | +16% | $76,658 | 130 | #73 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $74,700 | +20% | $73,547 | 120 | #60 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $72,920 | +46% | $71,794 | 40 | #15 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $70,350 | +10% | $69,264 | 560 | #113 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $65,390 | +10% | $64,381 | 330 | #111 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $62,660 | +2% | $61,693 | 240 | #127 |
| Carpenter | $62,590 | +11% | $61,624 | 710 | #89 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,930 | +3% | $60,974 | 360 | #137 |
| Concrete Finisher | $61,270 | +7% | $60,324 | 210 | #92 |
| HVAC Technician | $60,050 | +1% | $59,123 | 370 | #187 |
| Drywall Installer | $59,240 | +10% | $58,325 | 70 | #64 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $57,540 | +13% | $56,652 | 40 | #43 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $55,550 | -16% | $54,692 | 40 | #197 |
| Machinist | $55,440 | -3% | $54,584 | 230 | #216 |
| Welder | $54,670 | +5% | $53,826 | 530 | #150 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $54,420 | +5% | $53,580 | 190 | #152 |
| Auto Mechanic | $51,770 | +6% | $50,971 | 620 | #129 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $51,150 | +1% | $50,360 | 50 | #59 |
| Maintenance Technician | $49,230 | +2% | $48,470 | 1,600 | #157 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $49,070 | +2% | $48,312 | 80 | #58 |
| Roofer | $47,830 | -5% | $47,092 | 280 | #182 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,530 | +1% | $46,796 | 1,010 | #182 |
| Painter | $45,790 | -4% | $45,083 | 310 | #250 |
| Pest Control Technician | $44,990 | +1% | $44,295 | 60 | #100 |
| Landscaper | $43,680 | +16% | $43,006 | 1,010 | #83 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Eugene
The Eugene area has about 173,010 homes. 55% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 11% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 60% of households own their home, and the median home value is $448,000.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Eugene Government data
In an average year, Eugene has 18 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), including 1 at 100°F or more, 52 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 90 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 81°F and winter nights 35°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Eugene Mahlon Sweet Airport, OR station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
5.1% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Eugene area's population shrank 0.7% from 2020 to 2025 (384,242 → 381,584), ranking #325 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Eugene are down 28% from 2021 to 2025 (2,136 → 1,545). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Eugene area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 9% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 64% drive alone, 2% take transit and 14% 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.