Highest paying jobs in Salem, OR
The best paying occupations in the Salem, OR metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 3.6% above the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianSalem, OR | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $373,970 | $179,780 – $484,020 | 330 |
| 2 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $295,170 | $227,060 – $340,050 | 180 |
| 3 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $261,650 | $198,050 – $563,530 | 120 |
| 4 | Pediatricians, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $256,710 | $136,310 – $280,250 | 60 |
| 5 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $212,310 | $151,040 – $349,290 | 140 |
| 6 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $174,260 | $174,260 – $304,840 | 40 |
| 7 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $169,210 | $129,900 – $200,000 | 300 |
| 8 | Compensation and Benefits ManagersBachelor's degree | $163,270 | $101,170 – $226,250 | — |
| 9 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $162,640 | $113,180 – $209,720 | 140 |
| 10 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $162,600 | $129,780 – $196,880 | 320 |
| 11 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $158,390 | $108,190 – $213,830 | 490 |
| 12 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $156,070 | $79,250 – $225,430 | 780 |
| 13 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $152,090 | $84,710 – $256,730 | 270 |
| 14 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $144,190 | $103,470 – $197,380 | 190 |
| 15 | Clinical and Counseling PsychologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $143,980 | $113,350 – $163,340 | 130 |
| 16 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $141,400 | $98,930 – $211,710 | 620 |
| 17 | Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All OtherMaster's degree | $140,670 | $74,690 – $484,700 | 30 |
| 18 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $138,930 | $106,090 – $166,760 | 180 |
| 19 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $137,400 | $92,820 – $213,580 | 660 |
| 20 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $136,990 | $93,610 – $189,120 | 200 |
| 21 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $136,150 | $107,450 – $161,660 | 130 |
| 22 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $136,050 | $91,620 – $184,960 | 70 |
| 23 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $134,590 | $105,140 – $159,110 | 60 |
| 24 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $134,500 | $58,750 – $157,200 | 180 |
| 25 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $132,770 | $77,580 – $231,200 | 170 |
| 26 | Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree | $132,600 | $74,180 – $174,580 | 100 |
| 27 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $131,940 | $104,740 – $166,180 | 160 |
| 28 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $131,750 | $101,180 – $157,970 | 4,010 |
| 29 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $131,620 | $82,630 – $170,460 | 970 |
| 30 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $130,500 | $81,680 – $164,740 | 420 |
| 31 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $130,330 | $77,940 – $189,520 | 120 |
| 32 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $129,510 | $76,500 – $183,260 | 140 |
| 33 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $129,470 | $74,990 – $220,020 | 560 |
| 34 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $127,680 | $96,350 – $137,070 | 110 |
| 35 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $126,680 | $104,060 – $175,860 | 210 |
| 36 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $126,670 | $102,650 – $175,600 | 80 |
| 37 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $125,270 | $82,500 – $162,860 | 140 |
| 38 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $125,120 | $60,770 – $198,940 | 140 |
| 39 | EconomistsMaster's degree | $124,190 | $85,150 – $136,990 | 60 |
| 40 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,190 | $87,240 – $150,820 | 60 |
| 41 | Data ScientistsBachelor's degree | $124,040 | $78,040 – $162,570 | 90 |
| 42 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $121,920 | $94,740 – $131,140 | 30 |
| 43 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $119,050 | $106,970 – $125,660 | 300 |
| 44 | Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $117,550 | $69,720 – $192,150 | 40 |
| 45 | Education Administrators, All OtherBachelor's degree | $116,080 | $76,960 – $199,990 | 50 |
| 46 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $115,480 | $78,220 – $147,600 | 480 |
| 47 | Electronics Engineers, Except ComputerBachelor's degree | $114,550 | $64,300 – $169,910 | 120 |
| 48 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $114,450 | $50,390 – $168,040 | 470 |
| 49 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $114,430 | $54,850 – $225,230 | 3,490 |
| 50 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $114,290 | $82,940 – $165,680 | 220 |