Environmental Engineers Salary in Salem, OR
In Salem, OR, environmental engineers earn $130,890 at the median — $62.93 an hour. The range runs from $100K at the entry level to $184K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.65), that's roughly $126,281 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,560/month, or 20.2% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $131K get you in Salem?
About environmental engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salem, OR
Entry-level environmental engineers (10th percentile) start around $100K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K.Top earners bring in $184K or more - a $84K spread from bottom to top.
Environmental Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $130K | +25% | 740 |
| California | $128K | +23% | 4,770 |
| District of Columbia | $126K | +21% | 170 |
| Louisiana | $123K | +18% | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $117K | +12% | 1,410 |
| Washington | $116K | +11% | 1,330 |
| Alaska | $114K | +9% | 240 |
| Nevada | $112K | +8% | 210 |
| Texas | $109K | +4% | 1,710 |
| Connecticut | $108K | +4% | 500 |
| Illinois | $108K | +3% | 1,410 |
| Rhode Island | $107K | +2% | 90 |
| Ohio | $106K | +2% | 970 |
| Hawaii | $105K | +1% | 260 |
| Minnesota | $105K | +1% | 980 |
Track environmental engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Salem numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do environmental engineers make in Salem, OR?
The median is $130,890 a year - that works out to about $62.93 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $100,300, and experienced environmental engineers can clear $184,220. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Salem?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,438/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,560/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 21% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a environmental engineers salary go in Salem?
Salem has a Regional Price Parity of 103.65 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median environmental engineers salary is worth about $126,281 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do environmental engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.