Salem, OR

Business Ideas & Market Opportunities

The Salem market is currently outpacing the national growth rate. Our analysis identifies 63 active sectors where local supply has not yet met the demand indicated by the national baseline.

Active Local Businesses

12,600

Total Competition Pool

Market Size

435K

Total Metro Population

5-Year Growth Rate

+10.2%

🔥 Outpacing US(+0.1% avg)

Underserved Sectors

132

Niches with LQ < 0.8

Analyst Tip

Viewing all opportunities. Use the View Mode toggle above to filter by business model, or search to find specific niches.

Showing 20 of 221 opportunities

Barber Shops

Growth
+175.0%
Scale
$119K PAY
Saturation
1.08
119 establishments

Other Residential Care Facilities

Growth
+120.0%
Scale
$364K PAY
Saturation
1.55
11 establishments

Fruit and Vegetable Retailers

Growth
+116.7%
Scale
$115K PAY
Saturation
2.69
13 establishments

All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction

Growth
+100.0%
Scale
$34K PAY
Saturation
0.99
10 establishments

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Growth
+94.7%
Scale
$234K PAY
Saturation
1.03
37 establishments

Tobacco Stores

Growth
+92.3%
Scale
$296K PAY
Saturation
0.93
25 establishments

Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders

Growth
+87.5%
Scale
$1.4M PAY
Saturation
60.94
30 establishments

Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance

Growth
+85.7%
Scale
$849K PAY
Saturation
1.01
13 establishments

Exam Preparation and Tutoring

Growth
+85.7%
Scale
$96K PAY
Saturation
1.02
13 establishments

Miscellaneous Intermediation

Growth
+85.7%
Scale
$167K PAY
Saturation
0.77
13 establishments

All Other Personal Services

Growth
+80.0%
Scale
$67K PAY
Saturation
0.55
18 establishments

Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)

Growth
+76.5%
Scale
$2.7M PAY
Saturation
1.37
30 establishments

Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings

Growth
+75.0%
Scale
$86K PAY
Saturation
0.89
21 establishments

Paint and Wallpaper Retailers

Growth
+75.0%
Scale
$297K PAY
Saturation
1.58
14 establishments

Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing

Growth
+75.0%
Scale
$1.8M PAY
Saturation
2.57
14 establishments

Mobile Food Services

Growth
+73.7%
Scale
$58K PAY
Saturation
2.12
33 establishments

Marketing Consulting Services

Growth
+68.8%
Scale
$103K PAY
Saturation
0.39
27 establishments

Temporary Help Services

Growth
+67.7%
Scale
$955K PAY
Saturation
1.16
52 establishments

Caterers

Growth
+66.7%
Scale
$257K PAY
Saturation
0.88
15 establishments

Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers

Growth
+66.7%
Scale
$122K PAY
Saturation
1.17
15 establishments

Analyst Insights & Due Diligence

Administrative data provides the map, but not the terrain. We recommend three specific validation steps for Salem:

1

Demographic Fit

Does the local population age or income level explain the "Supply Gaps"? (e.g., A gap in luxury services may be due to lower local income).

2

Regulatory Check

Verify local licensing requirements. High barriers to entry often protect "High Yield" sectors from new competition.

3

Competitor Health

Investigate the "Momentum" sectors. Are existing businesses thriving, or is the growth due to high turnover and failure rates?