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If you want to enter the work force as fast as possible and live in Oregon, perhaps the trucking industry is what you’re looking for.
Let’s learn more about the process!
Article Table of Contents
Training
Before you begin your new career, you have to get trained, and you can choose diesel technology or even truck driving.
Oregon has a dozen schools to choose from, making the process very easy and straight forward.
The tuition for these schools is rather low, and students even have the possibility of earning scholarships.
These grants can cover up to half of the tuition, though most of them are for those who will pursue a career as a diesel mechanic.
Two of these scholarships you can look into are the Oregon Logging Conference and the one offered by the Washington County Farm Bureau.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Aisling Truck Academy | 1405 Antelope Rd White City, OR 97503 |
| Blue Mountain Community College | 2411 NW Carden Ave. PO Box 100, Pendleton, OR 97801 |
| Clackamas Community College | 19600 Molalla Avenue, Oregon City, OR 97045 |
| Elite Truck School | 560 SE 4th Ave Ste 230, Hillsboro, OR 97123 |
| International Institute of Transportation Resource, INC | 13605 Southeast Highway 212, Clackamas, OR 97015, USA |
| International Institute of Transportation Resource, INC | 1130 NE Old Salem Rd, Albany, OR 97321 |
| International Institute of Transportation Resource, INC | 33817 E. Martin RD., Creswell, OR 97426 |
| International Institute of Transportation Resource, INC | 6061 Crater Lake Highway, Central Point, OR 97502, USA |
| International Institute of Transportation Resource, INC | 1104 Lake RD., Redmond, OR 97756 |
| Klamath Community College | 7390 South 6th Street Klamath Falls, OR 97603 |
| Northwest Trucking Academy, Inc. | 33935 Hwy 99E Ste B, Tangent, Oregon 97389 |
| Rogue Community College | 7800 Pacific Ave, White City, OR 97503 |
| TDA Educational Systems | 10570 S.E. Washington Street, Suite 213, Portland, OR 97216 |
| Umpqua Community College | 1140 Umpqua College Rd, Roseburg, OR 97470 |
| Western Pacific Truck School | 13691 N. E. Whitaker Way, Portland, OR 97230 |
One thing to know about these schools is that they offer various programs that can last between a few weeks and up to 2 years.
You might want to keep this aspect in mind when selecting your school, but we have a few other tips on the subject, below.
Choosing a School
The duration of the program can help with money budgeting for your education.
It will also ultimately determine how much you’ll be spending in total and how fast you can start working.
In diesel technology, you have 2 programs and you can either obtain a certificate in 1 year or the Associates’ degree in 2 years.
Truck driving programs also differ in length from school to school.
Some schools offer full-time education making the duration of the program shorter.
For instance, you can get the Class B driving license in just a week after 40 hours if you study full time, at some schools.
You could also consider the size of the class when deciding on a school.
A smaller class size means more one-on-one instruction time with your teacher.
Job Prospects
Wanting to know how much money you’ll make once you start working, is normal.
Clearly, your salary will be influenced by the type of certification you have, your exact position and the field you’ll be working in.
In Oregon, truck drivers can expect to earn a median salary of $44,131 per year, while those in the top 10% can make around $51,138 a year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $46,311 |
| Salem | $44,703 |
| Eugene | $43,431 |
| Gresham | $46,252 |
| Hillsboro | $46,163 |
| Beaverton | $46,311 |
| Bend | $42,828 |
| Medford | $41,512 |
| Springfield | $43,112 |
| Corvallis | $43,661 |
Regional Salary in Oregon
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 850 | $57,790 | $27.79 | $79,140 | $40,800 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 1,150 | $63,330 | $30.45 | $80,040 | $47,530 |
| Corvallis, OR | 180 | $54,700 | $26.3 | $71,010 | $39,840 |
| Eugene, OR | 1,860 | $57,120 | $27.46 | $71,270 | $45,100 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 150 | $51,520 | $24.77 | $64,650 | $40,170 |
| Medford, OR | 1,700 | $56,650 | $27.24 | $73,210 | $42,800 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 14,080 | $62,350 | $29.98 | $79,500 | $45,520 |
| Salem, OR | 2,070 | $58,770 | $28.26 | $73,970 | $42,510 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
As we already said, there are several career options you can enter once you complete your education and receive your diploma.
Your options include leasing centers, repair shops, and various trucking businesses.
However the job market in Oregon for this industry is not expected to improve much.
Conclusion
The trucking industry is for those who want fast employment after completing their education, or who want to spend as little time and money on their education.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State