Nursing Assistant salary in Salem, OR
Nursing Assistants in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $48,840 a year ($23.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,300 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 2% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $49,830. There are 7.4 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $52,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| 25th percentile | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Median | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| 75th percentile | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Average (mean) | $52,170 | $25.08 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,070 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,035 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,878.46 |
| Weekly | $939.23 |
| Hourly | $23.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $50,350 | 8,890 |
| Bend, OR | $50,080 | 620 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $49,770 | 420 |
| Corvallis, OR | $48,830 | 340 |
| Albany, OR | $48,550 | 530 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $48,320 | 1,540 |
| Medford, OR | $47,890 | 1,000 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Medical Assistant | $50,240 | $24.15 |
| Dental Assistant | $59,210 | $28.47 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,160 | $23.16 |
| Massage Therapist | $96,080 | $46.19 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,090 | $32.26 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $51,590 | $24.80 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Salem, OR?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Salem, OR metro area is $48,840 a year, or $23.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $62,300 a year. The top 25% earn $59,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,960 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $47,300 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Salem, OR?
About 1,390 nursing assistants are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.