Retail Salesperson Salary in Salem, OR
Retail Salespersons in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median $35,760 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,614 take-home, or $2,384 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Salem, OR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,111
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,217
- Medicare (1.45%)$519
- Oregon income tax$2,299
- Take-home pay$28,614
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 8.75% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Salem, OR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,550 | $15.17 | $25,599 | $2,133 |
| 25th percentile | $33,410 | $16.06 | $26,931 | $2,244 |
| Median (50th) | $35,760 | $17.19 | $28,614 | $2,384 |
| 75th percentile | $38,410 | $18.47 | $30,511 | $2,543 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,630 | $22.90 | $37,113 | $3,093 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Oregon resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,760 buys in Salem, OR
Prices in Salem, OR are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.10× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $28,614 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,606 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Salem, OR as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Salem, OR ranks #208 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 2 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 3 | Yakima, WA | $36,640 | $31,620 | $33,095 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | $29,981 | $33,080 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $36,000 | $29,999 | $33,030 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $44,220 | $36,378 | $32,944 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $34,650 | $28,986 | $32,654 |
| 8 | Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | $28,977 | $32,500 |
| 208 | Salem, OR | $35,760 | $28,614 | $27,606 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
About the job: retail salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Oregon
- Bend, OR — $37,720
- Medford, OR — $35,840
- Portland, OR — $37,340
- Eugene, OR — $35,410
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Salem, OR?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Salem, OR metro area is $35,760 a year, or about $17.19 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,410 and $38,410.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Salem, OR?
On the median $35,760 salary, a single filer living in Oregon takes home about $28,614 a year ($2,384 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,299 in Oregon taxes in 2026.
Is Salem, OR a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,606 would in a typical U.S. city. Salem, OR ranks #208 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Salem, OR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Salem, OR is $1,201 a month ($1,560 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
- Cashier — $34,340