Is Becoming a Maintenance Worth It in Oregon? ROI Analysis
A data-driven look at the costs, earnings, and return on investment of a maintenance career in Oregon — compared to a 4-year college degree.
Maintenance & Repair Workers in Oregon
ROI Analysis
Payback Period
0.8
years
ExcellentTraining Cost Breakdown
Training Cost
$15,000
Training Time
1-2 years
Debt
$10,000
Payback
0.8 yrs
Typical path: On-the-job training or trade school; various certifications helpful
Maintenance vs. College Degree
Training Cost
Average Debt
Time to First Paycheck
Cumulative Earnings Over 30 Years
Maintenance vs. 4-year college degree (2.5% annual raises)
Maintenances start earning 3 years sooner
By the time a college graduate starts working, a maintenance has already earned $139,179. After 25 years, the trade path nets $1,654,226 vs. $1,359,148 for a college degree — a clear financial advantage.
Debt Advantage
$27,088
less debt
Head Start
3 years
earning sooner
25-Year Trade
$1.7M
cumulative
25-Year College
$1.4M
cumulative
Salary Details in Oregon
Maintenance & Repair Workers Salary Distribution in Oregon
Annual wages by percentile
Salary by Percentile
Annual salary distribution from entry-level to top earners
Purchasing Power in Oregon
Nominal Salary
$51,120
COL-Adjusted
$51,689
RPP: 98.9
Monthly Take-Home
$3,247
after taxes
After Housing
$1,627
rent: $1,620/mo
Employment Outlook
10-Year Growth
Annual Openings
169,400
Current Employment
1,538,300
Education: High school diploma or equivalent · Training: Short-term on-the-job training
Oregon Economy
Median Income
$90,000
Median Home
$384,000
Unemployment
3.7%
Bachelor's Rate
33.7%
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Related ROI Analyses
Other trades in Oregon
Maintenance in other states
Ready to Get Started?
Find maintenance training programs, apprenticeships, and trade schools near you in Oregon.
Links go to official government resources (DOL, CareerOneStop). Free to use.