City Town Info

Salem Employment

Employment and Industries in the Salem, Oregon Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in Salem than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Salem.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Salem.
  • A list of any large public companies in Salem.

Most Popular Jobs in Salem, Oregon Metro Area (2006 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses2,26063,220$48,340 - 79,84024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education1,78045,670$31,750 - 59,93014%95%
3Managers, all other1,44062,290$41,880 - 82,0707%55%
4Computer specialists, all other1,37057,070$40,000 - 77,63015%68%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,17051,550$27,610 - 74,5708%51%
6Accountants and auditors1,13050,980$34,390 - 71,57018%79%
7Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education1,03043,980$31,290 - 57,6806%96%
8Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education98046,100$33,570 - 59,05011%95%
9Lawyers68084,170$44,070 - 011%99%
10Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists61042,780$29,650 - 57,49011%58%
11Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation57047,990$34,640 - 65,6505%58%
12Training and development specialists56043,960$26,320 - 59,16018%56%
13Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other53048,550$27,920 - 70,10017%56%
14Social and human service assistants52026,870$17,830 - 38,13034%58%
15Clergy49041,900$15,840 - 67,84019%75%
16Civil engineers40066,820$48,850 - 90,86018%87%
17Education administrators, elementary and secondary school26076,370$54,730 - 97,3308%78%
18Pharmacists23094,780$71,030 - 122,48022%97%
19Educational, vocational, and school counselors23047,890$31,130 - 64,46013%73%
20Self-enrichment education teachers21026,150$18,050 - 34,44023%54%
21Financial managers21084,320$53,810 - 125,17013%60%
22Chief executives210113,180$72,150 - 02%65%
23Child, family, and school social workers21040,470$32,690 - 50,53019%77%
24Directors, religious activities and education20031,010$19,010 - 42,63020%64%
25Sales and related workers, all other20023,670$15,660 - 37,92014%62%
26Medical and health services managers20085,170$45,440 - 016%57%
27Librarians19049,540$33,570 - 64,5504%85%
28Rehabilitation counselors19035,320$19,700 - 52,17023%73%
29Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school19048,630$36,130 - 62,57020%87%
30Budget analysts19050,260$38,190 - 63,6107%78%
31Environmental scientists and specialists, including health18053,900$42,350 - 64,26025%93%
32Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents17072,140$31,050 - 125,78025%67%
33Computer systems analysts17056,070$32,710 - 79,15029%68%
34Statisticians16050,290$36,120 - 64,9509%93%
35Social workers, all other16044,270$23,060 - 57,56018%77%
36Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors16037,500$27,490 - 54,04034%73%
37Medical and clinical laboratory technicians15037,360$23,090 - 58,87015%51%
38Community and social service specialists, all other15037,530$27,710 - 48,38025%58%
39Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products15067,410$33,500 - 106,33012%51%
40Occupational health and safety specialists15039,750$20,820 - 71,3808%72%
41Sales managers15094,800$54,200 - 010%69%
42Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists14038,760$22,270 - 56,89018%56%
43Public relations specialists14051,160$27,800 - 80,53018%81%
44Instructional coordinators13061,530$35,080 - 81,57023%79%
45Network and computer systems administrators13054,460$38,190 - 75,84027%50%
46Mental health and substance abuse social workers12043,500$26,160 - 58,23030%77%
47Dentists, general120158,510$99,860 - 09%100%
48Social and community service managers11054,350$32,620 - 77,21025%72%
49Financial specialists, all other11045,690$31,560 - 65,69012%50%
50Music directors and composers11048,170$26,530 - 76,23013%53%
51Advertising sales agents10035,820$20,830 - 54,32020%56%
52Graphic designers10031,730$20,430 - 45,42010%55%
53Computer and information systems managers10085,720$57,450 - 113,21016%73%
54Floral designers9021,220$16,510 - 29,3400%55%
55Musicians and singers90 $0 - 010%53%
56Medical and public health social workers9045,130$28,660 - 61,47024%77%
57Urban and regional planners9054,660$40,970 - 71,10015%92%
58Computer software engineers, applications9068,580$42,720 - 93,02045%85%
59Network systems and data communications analysts8052,860$38,940 - 71,28053%57%
60Detectives and criminal investigators8052,330$39,190 - 76,53017%54%
61Editors8038,240$25,800 - 56,8302%81%
62Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers8059,890$43,560 - 77,4500%99%
63Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists8056,820$40,380 - 75,65016%99%
64Special education teachers, secondary school7047,700$36,330 - 58,1809%87%
65Purchasing managers7055,600$43,080 - 70,0103%57%
66Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists6046,780$32,530 - 66,41018%56%
67Foresters6056,590$43,390 - 71,2605%86%
68Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates6099,290$83,170 - 127,4005%99%
69Dietitians and nutritionists6052,640$40,970 - 63,7109%72%
70Physician assistants6070,330$56,750 - 92,36027%67%
71Occupational therapists5055,020$31,880 - 76,48023%90%
72Zoologists and wildlife biologists5053,670$40,370 - 69,8709%95%
73Interior designers5045,030$31,040 - 66,01020%55%
74Conservation scientists5053,740$42,670 - 64,4305%86%
75Human resources managers, all other5079,500$60,910 - 107,81011%58%
76Mechanical engineers5061,340$40,780 - 90,3104%78%
77Surveyors4054,870$42,460 - 67,87024%82%
78Engineers, all other4054,810$36,220 - 80,3906%82%
79Financial analysts4091,670$39,700 - 034%87%
80Education administrators, all other4055,070$37,120 - 83,27013%78%
81Public relations managers4058,270$35,310 - 90,77017%75%
82Optometrists3076,100$48,040 - 94,36011%100%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons5,51025,450$16,500 - 39,60012%25%
2Office clerks, general4,42026,790$17,760 - 35,43013%19%
3Cashiers3,51021,290$16,250 - 31,720-2%10%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,94017,540$15,830 - 19,54018%5%
5Customer service representatives2,73027,390$19,170 - 40,60025%22%
6Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand2,48024,710$16,280 - 40,8502%5%
7Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks2,36032,010$21,560 - 43,32013%16%
8Waiters and waitresses2,23019,300$16,100 - 23,09011%14%
9Teacher assistants2,07025,960$17,840 - 34,47010%18%
10Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners2,03023,240$16,720 - 31,64015%4%
11General and operations managers1,97091,240$44,700 - [?]2%48%
12Carpenters1,88031,700$19,680 - 44,98010%6%
13Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,81034,170$25,900 - 45,58010%4%
14Receptionists and information clerks1,61023,550$17,010 - 31,66017%13%
15Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,54028,340$19,550 - 37,9601%18%
16First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,49043,010$28,190 - 62,6706%29%
17Stock clerks and order fillers1,48024,650$16,870 - 35,470-7%8%
18Executive secretaries and administrative assistants1,43033,270$22,840 - 43,68015%18%
19Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,37023,150$16,670 - 31,09018%7%
20Construction laborers1,28031,140$19,990 - 52,24011%5%
21Business operations specialists, all other1,23048,120$28,770 - 65,57021%49%
22First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers1,22038,750$23,040 - 60,2904%25%
23Maintenance and repair workers, general1,22032,060$18,920 - 46,42010%6%
24Landscaping and groundskeeping workers1,14024,130$16,730 - 33,97018%6%
25Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop1,03017,950$15,780 - 20,86010%8%
26Team assemblers1,02022,690$17,060 - 29,1900%5%
27Correctional officers and jailers1,00042,030$28,690 - 54,25017%11%
28Industrial truck and tractor operators93026,050$17,690 - 35,370-1%2%
29Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse92018,470$16,000 - 22,960-2%4%
30First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers85029,270$21,100 - 40,16011%14%
31First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers84040,990$25,320 - 60,940-4%15%
32Food preparation workers80019,850$16,250 - 25,64015%7%
33Cooks, restaurant80022,210$17,480 - 27,43012%5%
34Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders74020,480$16,200 - 28,690-4%5%
35Service station attendants73018,060$15,990 - 21,40013%6%
36Machine feeders and offbearers73020,030$16,200 - 25,870-14%0%
37Maids and housekeeping cleaners73019,220$15,980 - 25,07013%5%
38Police and sheriff's patrol officers70048,290$35,890 - 61,79011%33%
39Assemblers and fabricators, all other70021,900$16,240 - 30,230-8%5%
40Personal and home care aides69023,360$18,380 - 30,21051%10%
41Truck drivers, light or delivery services67027,790$18,710 - 38,0108%4%
42Graders and sorters, agricultural products67018,020$15,990 - 20,530-1%0%
43Dishwashers64017,770$15,940 - 20,15010%3%
44Cooks, fast food64017,830$15,730 - 20,9608%5%
45Electricians63052,990$33,210 - 67,7707%7%
46Counter and rental clerks60022,770$16,360 - 35,36023%16%
47Bartenders59020,420$16,240 - 27,83011%17%
48Packers and packagers, hand59017,970$15,970 - 19,830-11%3%
49Tellers58023,140$17,750 - 29,69014%16%
50Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks56026,840$18,520 - 37,9404%6%
51Automotive service technicians and mechanics53038,340$22,690 - 55,31014%4%
52Painters, construction and maintenance52022,860$16,390 - 34,45012%6%
53Medical assistants51026,700$19,960 - 35,17035%10%
54Medical secretaries51033,040$24,320 - 44,86017%18%
55Child care workers50018,110$15,830 - 21,79018%15%
56Cleaners of vehicles and equipment48019,980$16,110 - 27,22014%3%
57First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers48055,070$31,650 - 80,5409%10%
58Sales representatives, services, all other47045,280$20,580 - 81,09028%48%
59Security guards47021,100$16,290 - 29,26017%13%
60Cooks, institution and cafeteria46022,390$16,680 - 29,00011%5%
61First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers46051,760$34,860 - 72,9907%13%
62Driver/sales workers45020,790$16,040 - 29,960-4%4%
63Production workers, all other44021,010$16,430 - 27,2602%5%
64All other information and record clerks41026,760$17,770 - 38,460-12%21%
65Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators39045,180$33,410 - 58,7008%3%
66Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers39030,010$19,780 - 43,4505%2%
67Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers39017,760$15,910 - 20,63012%6%
68Legal secretaries38032,370$25,990 - 40,38012%18%
69Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers38026,960$17,730 - 40,570-6%14%
70Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop37018,030$15,910 - 21,66010%17%
71Preschool teachers, except special education36023,270$15,920 - 34,68026%43%
72Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers35028,050$18,990 - 40,380-26%6%
73Computer support specialists35035,330$18,880 - 51,27013%43%
74Billing and posting clerks and machine operators35029,560$21,460 - 38,2804%15%
75Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists35023,170$16,590 - 33,38012%6%
76Food servers, nonrestaurant35017,650$15,840 - 19,53016%9%
77Dental assistants34034,970$28,770 - 42,63029%9%
78File clerks34020,840$16,650 - 23,970-40%20%
79Postal service mail carriers34043,420$34,490 - 50,7001%11%
80Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other33028,510$16,360 - 42,5808%9%
81Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers33040,180$24,290 - 55,4609%3%
82Construction managers32069,950$38,150 - 98,44016%29%
83Loan interviewers and clerks31027,800$19,510 - 43,2000%24%
84Parts salespersons31032,940$20,060 - 46,410-1%6%
85Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters31048,160$30,960 - 68,03011%4%
86Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders30023,120$16,160 - 34,820-7%0%
87Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents30034,950$22,460 - 53,4802%43%
88Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers29018,590$15,940 - 22,46019%31%
89Data entry keyers29022,940$17,350 - 30,160-4%18%
90Loan officers29051,090$29,110 - 72,00012%49%
91Bus drivers, school29022,550$18,690 - 27,9909%4%
92Sewing machine operators28019,350$15,750 - 25,790-26%5%
93Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products28045,130$33,160 - 61,6700%42%
94Taxi drivers and chauffeurs28019,460$16,010 - 28,81013%15%
95Order clerks28029,930$20,090 - 50,560-23%16%
96Property, real estate, and community association managers28031,270$19,820 - 62,38015%36%
97Dental hygienists27073,100$62,780 - 90,76030%33%
98Pharmacy technicians27030,500$23,180 - 38,29032%16%
99Forest and conservation workers26021,980$16,680 - 27,6706%22%
100Sheet metal workers25047,400$22,970 - 71,0707%4%
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Jobs More Common Near Salem Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Forest and conservation workers21,980260162.9
Graders and sorters, agricultural products18,02067026.5
Directors, religious activities and education31,01020019.8
Music directors and composers48,17011019.7
Logging equipment operators37,46010016.1
Clergy41,90049014.2
Forest and conservation technicians37,01010013.7
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists42,78061012.1
Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other18,57019011.5
Service station attendants18,0607309.7
Statisticians50,2901608.9
Computer specialists, all other57,0701,3707.8
Machine feeders and offbearers20,0307307.5
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders23,1203005.9
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators34,9402305
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood26,6301304.9
Correctional officers and jailers42,0301,0004.8
Crossing guards30,7901904.5
Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents34,9503004.4
Managers, all other62,2901,4404.1
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse18,4709204
Occupational health and safety specialists39,7501503.9
Assemblers and fabricators, all other21,9007003.8
Court, municipal, and license clerks32,2202503.6
Appraisers and assessors of real estate48,3601903.5
Budget analysts50,2601903.3
Social workers, all other44,2701603.2
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers18,5902903
Eligibility interviewers, government programs30,3602302.9
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives69,3401602.7
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other28,5103302.7
Training and development specialists43,9605602.6
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing30,1601502.6
Civil engineering technicians46,4202102.5
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors37,5001602.5
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other48,5505302.4
Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters29,0602502.4
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health53,9001802.4
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation47,9905702.4
Tire repairers and changers27,0202002.3
Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers39,3101702.3
Demonstrators and product promoters32,5901402.2
Highway maintenance workers32,6701802.1
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines42,7802302.1
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders20,4807402.1
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators41,2601502.1
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop17,9501,0302
Refuse and recyclable material collectors28,2801802
Production workers, all other21,0104401.9
Food servers, nonrestaurant17,6503501.9

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Salem, Oregon Metro Area (2006 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Crossing guards30,7901.45190
Demonstrators and product promoters32,5901.3140
Teacher assistants25,9601.252,070
Personal and home care aides23,3601.24690
Dental hygienists73,1001.23270
Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers39,3101.22170
Cashiers21,2901.213,510
Correctional officers and jailers42,0301.211,000
Electricians52,9901.21630
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing30,1601.21150
Tire repairers and changers27,0201.2200
Medical secretaries33,0401.2510
Sheet metal workers47,4001.19250
Library assistants, clerical26,5301.17160
Waiters and waitresses19,3001.172,230
Dental assistants34,9701.17340
Pharmacy technicians30,5001.16270
Bartenders20,4201.16590
Mental health and substance abuse social workers43,5001.16120
Cost estimators60,6401.15200
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers17,7601.14390
Dishwashers17,7701.13640
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators45,1801.13390
Office clerks, general26,7901.134,420
Cooks, fast food17,8301.12640
Radiologic technologists and technicians53,5901.12160
Construction and building inspectors51,8901.12110
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians37,3601.12150
Stock clerks and order fillers24,6501.121,480
Registered nurses63,2201.122,260
Parts salespersons32,9401.12310
Civil engineering technicians46,4201.12210
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food17,5401.122,940
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop18,0301.11370
Instructional coordinators61,5301.11130
Order clerks29,9301.11280
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop17,9501.111,030
Food preparation workers19,8501.11800
Automotive service technicians and mechanics38,3401.1530
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters48,1601.1310
Automotive body and related repairers41,3901.1160
Medical and health services managers85,1701.1200
Cooks, restaurant22,2101.1800
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses40,3401.09240
Butchers and meat cutters31,4901.09120
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners23,2401.092,030
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors30,8501.09240
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand24,7101.092,480
Healthcare support workers, all other29,3701.09180
Maids and housekeeping cleaners19,2201.09730

Highest Paying Jobs in Salem, Oregon Metro Area (2006 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Dentists, general158,510120
Family and general practitioners156,740140
Physicians and surgeons, all other150,34090
Chief executives113,180210
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates99,29060
Sales managers94,800150
Pharmacists94,780230
Financial analysts91,67040
General and operations managers91,2401,970
Computer and information systems managers85,720100
Medical and health services managers85,170200
Financial managers84,320210
Lawyers84,170680
Human resources managers, all other79,50050
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school76,370260
Optometrists76,10030
Marketing managers73,110 
Dental hygienists73,100270
Diagnostic medical sonographers72,88030
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents72,140170
Physician assistants70,33060
Construction managers69,950320
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives69,340160
Computer software engineers, applications68,58090
Industrial production managers68,080190
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products67,410150
Soil and plant scientists66,920 
Civil engineers66,820400
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers65,340100
Registered nurses63,2202,260
Managers, all other62,2901,440
Administrative services managers61,890200
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers61,870230
Computer programmers61,640 
Instructional coordinators61,530130
Mechanical engineers61,34050
Cost estimators60,640200
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers59,89080
Public relations managers58,27040
Computer specialists, all other57,0701,370
Brickmasons and blockmasons57,050100
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists56,82080
Foresters56,59060
Computer systems analysts56,070170
Purchasing managers55,60070
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers55,070480
Education administrators, all other55,07040
Occupational therapists55,02050
Surveyors54,87040
Engineers, all other54,81040

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