Trade Schools in Salem, OR

4 schools · 12 programs · Avg earnings $41,445/yr

Salem's economy, anchored by state government, healthcare, and a strong agricultural sector, creates steady demand for skilled trades. The city's hospitals and clinics are major employers, driving a need for trained professionals in medical support roles. Programs like Registered Nursing and Practical Nursing align directly with these local healthcare staffing needs, offering clear career entry points within the region.

Beyond healthcare, Salem's position as a regional hub for vehicle sales and service, alongside its agricultural machinery needs, supports a robust automotive repair industry. This local demand is met by programs in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies, providing essential skills for jobs available across the city's dealerships, independent garages, and agricultural operations.

Schools
4
Programs
12
Avg Grad Earnings
$41,445/yr
Avg Score
59/100

Salem Trade Schools Map

4 trade schools in Salem, OR.

Chemeketa Community College Institute of Technology Phagans School of Beauty College of Hair Design Careers

All Trade Schools in Salem

4 trade schools ranked by number of programs offered.

School Programs Avg Earnings Avg Score
Chemeketa Community College 8 $45,440/yr 62
Institute of Technology 2 $47,003/yr 64
Phagans School of Beauty 1 $20,537/yr 44
College of Hair Design Careers 1 $19,284/yr 43

Top Programs in Salem

Highest-earning trade programs by first-year graduate earnings in Salem.

Program School Earnings Score
Nursing Chemeketa Community College $79,890/yr 84
Allied Health Professions Chemeketa Community College $75,797/yr 74
Practical Nursing Institute of Technology $58,518/yr 69
Accounting Chemeketa Community College $42,808/yr 66
Vehicle Repair Technology Chemeketa Community College $35,827/yr 60
Medical Assisting Institute of Technology $35,488/yr 59
Dental Assisting Chemeketa Community College $33,802/yr 56
Criminal Justice Chemeketa Community College $33,406/yr 65
Special Education Chemeketa Community College $32,829/yr 44
Liberal Arts & Humanities Chemeketa Community College $29,163/yr 43

Programs by Category

Skilled Trades (1) Healthcare (5) Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1) Personal Services (2) Business & Office (1) Education (1) Other Programs (1)

Skilled Trades (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Vehicle Repair Technology Chemeketa Community College 60 $35,827/yr

Healthcare (5 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Nursing Chemeketa Community College 84 $79,890/yr
Allied Health Professions Chemeketa Community College 74 $75,797/yr
Practical Nursing Institute of Technology 69 $58,518/yr
Medical Assisting Institute of Technology 59 $35,488/yr
Dental Assisting Chemeketa Community College 56 $33,802/yr

Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Criminal Justice Chemeketa Community College 65 $33,406/yr

Personal Services (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Cosmetology Phagans School of Beauty 44 $20,537/yr
Cosmetology College of Hair Design Careers 43 $19,284/yr

Business & Office (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Accounting Chemeketa Community College 66 $42,808/yr

Education (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Special Education Chemeketa Community College 44 $32,829/yr

Other Programs (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Liberal Arts & Humanities Chemeketa Community College 43 $29,163/yr

Nearby Cities with Trade Schools

More Trade Schools in Oregon

Frequently Asked Questions

How many trade schools are in Salem?
There are 4 accredited trade and vocational schools in Salem, OR, offering a total of 12 certificate and associate degree programs.
What are the best trade programs in Salem?
The highest-earning programs in Salem include Nursing, Allied Health Professions, Practical Nursing, with graduates earning $79,890 or more in their first year after graduation.
Are trade schools in Salem worth it?
Trade school programs in Salem average $41,445 in first-year graduate earnings, with many programs offering positive ROI within the first year. Most trade careers offer strong job security due to hands-on work requirements.

About This Data

This page analyzes 12 trade and vocational programs at 4 schools in Salem, OR using earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024–2034).

School locations shown on the map are based on official institutional addresses. Graduate earnings represent median first-year earnings for certificate and associate degree completers.

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034. Last updated 2026.