Salem, Oregon
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Salem is home to a wide range of industries and private employers, with business-friendly taxes and fees and proven strengths in traded industry sectors. Abundant in natural resources, the Mid-Willamette Valley is the greatest producer of agricultural products in Oregon. The area is also a strong manufacturing and distribution region with a prime location on Interstate 5 between California and Washington. The addition of high-tech industry to the local economy has provided steady growth in manufacturing.
Quick Facts
- Largest employer – State of Oregon (City of Salem CAFR Report FY 2020)
- Largest private employer – Salem Health (City of Salem CAFR Report FY 2020)
- Unemployment rate – 3.5% (Business Oregon Prospector)
- Labor force: 84, 068 (Business Oregon Prospector)
- Approximately 1M workers within 45 miles of Salem (Business Oregon Prospector)
Taxes and Fees
Business tax structure is an important item for deciding where to expand or locate a business. Unlike most states, Oregon corporate income taxes are calculated solely on relative Oregon sales, according to Business Oregon.
Tax Rates
- Retail sales tax – None (tax-rates.org)
- Corporate income tax – 6.6% to 7.6% (Business Oregon)
- Personal income tax – 5% to 9.9% (Business Oregon)
- Property tax – 1.5% of real market value (Business Oregon)
- Corporate Activity Tax – $250 plus 0.57% of taxable Oregon commercial activity of more than $1 million. Some exceptions apply (Business Oregon)
Salem Business License Fees
Salem does not require businesses to pay a general license fee. However, you need a business license to operate certain types of businesses in Salem.
Proven Strengths in Traded Industry Sectors
Traded industries are businesses who produce goods and services that are sold in a location outside where they were made.
The Importance of Traded Industry Sectors
Roy Williams, President and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, is widely viewed as an expert on the traded-sector and how it drives growth in a region. In the video below, he explains this connection.