Registered Nurse salary in Salem, OR
Registered Nurses in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $131,750 a year ($63.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $101,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,970 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 2% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $129,010. There are 21 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $125,750, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $101,180 | $48.64 |
| 25th percentile | $109,870 | $52.82 |
| Median | $131,750 | $63.34 |
| 75th percentile | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,970 | $75.95 |
| Average (mean) | $125,750 | $60.46 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $10,979.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,489.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,067.31 |
| Weekly | $2,533.65 |
| Hourly | $63.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | $135,010 | 2,500 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $130,310 | 24,220 |
| Medford, OR | $127,030 | 2,370 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $113,720 | 3,590 |
| Albany, OR | $111,920 | 580 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $106,710 | 540 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $373,970 | $179.79 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,600 | $78.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,050 | $57.24 |
| Pharmacist | $169,210 | $81.35 |
| Physician Assistant | $144,190 | $69.32 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,170 | $141.91 |
| Dentists, General | $212,310 | $102.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,700 | $52.74 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,360 | $50.18 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,360 | $49.21 |
| Veterinarian | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| Optometrist | $134,590 | $64.71 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Salem, OR?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Salem, OR metro area is $131,750 a year, or $63.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $101,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $157,970 a year. The top 25% earn $132,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $101,180 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $109,870 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Salem, OR?
About 4,010 registered nurses are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.