Careers in Salem, OR
Part of Oregon.
Salem, OR’s regional price level is above the national average (index 103.649, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).
Unemployment rate: 5.2% · 219,746 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).
Highest-Paying Careers
See full list →- 1Physicians, All Other$373,970
- 2Family Medicine Physicians$295,170
- 3Chief Executives$261,650
- 4Pediatricians, General$256,710
- 5Dentists, General$212,310
Largest Occupations
See full list →- 1Home Health and Personal Care Aides7,040 employed
- 2Fast Food and Counter Workers5,880 employed
- 3Retail Salespersons4,550 employed
- 4Registered Nurses4,010 employed
- 5Stockers and Order Fillers3,950 employed
Highest Concentration
See full list →- 1Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other39.13× national avg
- 2Psychiatric Aides21.02× national avg
- 3Logging Workers, All Other20.51× national avg
- 4Foresters8.31× national avg
- 5Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse7.92× national avg
Best Purchasing Power
See full list →cost-of-living adjusted
- 1Physicians, All Other$360,804
- 2Family Medicine Physicians$284,778
- 3Chief Executives$252,439
- 4Pediatricians, General$247,672
- 5Dentists, General$204,836
Sources
Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see Oregon state page.