Nursing Assistant Salary in Salem, OR
Nursing Assistants in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median $48,840 a year — 16% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,979 take-home, or $3,165 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Salem, OR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,681
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,028
- Medicare (1.45%)$708
- Oregon income tax$3,444
- Take-home pay$37,979
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 8.75% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Salem, OR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,960 | $21.62 | $35,201 | $2,933 |
| 25th percentile | $47,300 | $22.74 | $36,876 | $3,073 |
| Median (50th) | $48,840 | $23.48 | $37,979 | $3,165 |
| 75th percentile | $59,510 | $28.61 | $45,619 | $3,802 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,300 | $29.95 | $47,616 | $3,968 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Oregon resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,840 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 nursing assistant's $37,979 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,642 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nursing Assistant jobs are less concentrated in Salem, OR than nationally (location quotient 0.79), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Salem, OR ranks #106 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 106 | Salem, OR | $48,840 | $37,979 | $36,642 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Oregon
- Bend, OR — $50,080
- Portland, OR — $50,350
- Eugene, OR — $48,320
- Albany, OR — $48,550
- Medford, OR — $47,890
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Salem, OR?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Salem, OR metro area is $48,840 a year, or about $23.48 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,300 and $59,510.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Salem, OR?
On the median $48,840 salary, a single filer living in Oregon takes home about $37,979 a year ($3,165 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,444 in Oregon taxes in 2026.
Is Salem, OR a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 16% above the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,642 would in a typical U.S. city. Salem, OR ranks #106 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant 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) — 38% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
- Dental Assistant — $59,210
- Psychiatric Aide — $50,580
- Medical Assistant — $50,240
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $45,200