Top Paying Jobs in Salem, OR (2026)
Salem, OR has 130 jobs across diverse industries. The highest-paying occupations include Dentists, General ($198,300), Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates ($174,320), Pediatricians, General ($172,230). The cost of living index is 103.65 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,560/month.
$143K
Avg. median salary
103.65
Cost of living index
$1,560
Median 2BR rent
N/A
Population
Highest paying careers in Salem
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dentists, General | Healthcare | $198K | $95.34/hr |
| 2 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | Legal | $174K | $83.81/hr |
| 3 | Pediatricians, General | Healthcare | $172K | $82.8/hr |
| 4 | Pharmacists | Healthcare | $163K | $78.42/hr |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | Management | $158K | $76.15/hr |
| 6 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Management | $158K | $75.74/hr |
| 7 | Lawyers | Legal | $158K | $75.73/hr |
| 8 | Nurse Midwives | Healthcare | $152K | $73/hr |
| 9 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $150K | $71.94/hr |
| 10 | Financial Managers | Management | $137K | $65.86/hr |
| 11 | Human Resources Managers | Management | $136K | $65.5/hr |
| 12 | Marketing Managers | Management | $135K | $64.74/hr |
| 13 | Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | Science | $134K | $64.64/hr |
| 14 | Medical and Health Services Managers | Management | $134K | $64.26/hr |
| 15 | Physician Assistants | Healthcare | $134K | $64.25/hr |
| 16 | Computer Network Architects | Technology | $133K | $63.78/hr |
| 17 | Environmental Engineers | Engineering | $131K | $62.93/hr |
| 18 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | Management | $130K | $/hr |
| 19 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | Management | $130K | $62.72/hr |
| 20 | Natural Sciences Managers | Management | $130K | $62.68/hr |
| 21 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $129K | $61.93/hr |
| 22 | Registered Nurses | Healthcare | $128K | $61.61/hr |
| 23 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | Public Safety | $128K | $61.35/hr |
| 24 | Engineers, All Other | Engineering | $124K | $59.72/hr |
| 25 | Purchasing Managers | Management | $124K | $59.71/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Salem
Cost of living vs. national average+3.7% more expensive
Studio apartment (FMR)$/mo
1-bedroom apartment (FMR)$/mo
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,560/mo
3-bedroom apartment (FMR)$/mo
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After federal and state taxes