Tapers Salary in Salem, OR
In Salem, OR, tapers earn $78,020 at the median — $37.51 an hour. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $95K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.65), that's roughly $75,273 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,560/month — about 30.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Salem?
About tapers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salem, OR
Entry-level tapers (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $95K or more - a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Tapers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $110K | +69% | 380 |
| Massachusetts | $108K | +66% | 290 |
| Hawaii | $98K | +51% | 180 |
| New Jersey | $96K | +49% | 40 |
| Oregon | $90K | +39% | 390 |
| Minnesota | $87K | +34% | 210 |
| Pennsylvania | $82K | +27% | 90 |
| Connecticut | $72K | +11% | 150 |
| Washington | $71K | +9% | 1,510 |
| New York | $70K | +8% | N/A |
| California | $70K | +8% | 3,790 |
| Ohio | $68K | +5% | 70 |
| Iowa | $65K | +1% | 70 |
| Indiana | $64K | -0% | 70 |
| Michigan | $62K | -4% | 270 |
Track tapers 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 tapers make in Salem, OR?
The median is $78,020 a year - that works out to about $37.51 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,980, and experienced tapers can clear $95,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Salem?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,748/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,560/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 32.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a tapers 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 tapers salary is worth about $75,273 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do tapers 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.