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Lower Middle Class Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

CDL A Solo OTR Truck Drivers

Portland, OR · On-site

$1.9K - $2.4K/wk

Middle to lower side recently. * The average gross income is $4100 and $5200 per wk total split ... Must have Class A CDL. Additional Endorsements a bonus. * Must-Have 2+ yrs CDL Exp. * Must-Have ...

You are backed by a best-in-class corporate healthcare team and supported by the broad peer-level ... Patient mix is mostly middle-aged and retirement-aged with some peds and family. Seasonal traffic ...

You are backed by a best-in-class corporate healthcare team and supported by the broad peer-level ... Patient mix is mostly middle-aged and retirement-aged with some peds and family. Seasonal traffic ...

Lower Middle Class information

See Oregon salary details

$19.4K

$84.2K

$310.2K

How much do lower middle class jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for lower middle class in Oregon is $84,244.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,901.00 and $87,771.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Lower Middle Class vs Retail Sales Associate?

AspectLower Middle ClassRetail Sales Associate
Typical CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalentHigh school diploma often preferred
Work EnvironmentOffice settings, administrative rolesRetail stores, customer service
Industry UsageVarious sectors including finance, educationRetail industry primarily

The Lower Middle Class generally includes individuals with office-based jobs requiring basic education, while Retail Sales Associates work in retail environments focusing on customer service. The main difference lies in the work setting and industry focus, with the Lower Middle Class having broader employment options beyond retail.

What are some common challenges faced by Customer Service Representatives when handling high call volumes, and how can they effectively manage stress in this environment?

Customer Service Representatives often encounter high call volumes, especially during peak business hours or promotional periods. This can lead to increased pressure to resolve issues quickly while maintaining professionalism and empathy. To manage stress, it is helpful to prioritize calls based on urgency, use call-handling scripts for efficiency, and take scheduled breaks to recharge. Supportive team environments and regular training also play a crucial role in helping representatives stay resilient and maintain high-quality service.

What does 'lower middle class' mean?

The term 'lower middle class' typically refers to a socioeconomic group that falls between the working class and the middle class. People in this group often have moderate incomes, may hold clerical, administrative, or low-level supervisory jobs, and may have some post-secondary education or vocational training. They generally have enough income to cover basic needs and some discretionary spending, but may face financial challenges with unexpected expenses. The exact definition can vary depending on country and economic context.

What professions make 200,000 a year without a degree?

Some high-paying professions that can reach $200,000 annually without a college degree include commercial pilots, real estate brokers, sales managers, and certain skilled trades like elevator installers and power plant operators. Success in these roles often depends on experience, certifications, or licensing rather than formal education.

What salary is considered lower-middle class?

For lower middle class jobs, such as entry-level or semi-skilled positions, the salary typically ranges from about 50% to 80% of the median household income in a region. In the United States, this often translates to annual earnings between approximately $30,000 and $60,000, depending on location and cost of living. These roles may require basic skills, certifications, or on-the-job training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lower Middle Class worker, and why are they important?

To thrive in a lower middle class occupation, you typically need a solid work ethic, basic educational credentials such as a high school diploma or vocational training, and job-specific competencies. Familiarity with workplace technologies like point-of-sale systems, inventory software, or trade-specific tools is often required. Reliability, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills help individuals excel in customer service and team-oriented environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining steady employment, advancing in one's career, and ensuring job stability in competitive sectors.

What jobs are common in the lower-middle class?

Common jobs in the lower-middle class include roles such as retail sales associates, administrative assistants, customer service representatives, and skilled trades like electricians or plumbers. These positions often require a high school diploma or vocational training and typically offer hourly wages suitable for middle-income households.

Is $70,000 a year considered middle class?

For a lower middle class job, earning $70,000 annually generally places an individual above the lower middle class threshold in many regions, but whether it is considered middle class depends on the cost of living and regional income standards. In high-cost areas, this income may be closer to middle class, while in lower-cost regions, it may be comfortably middle class or higher.

What is a Lower Middle Class job?

A lower middle-class job typically refers to occupations that provide modest financial stability but do not offer significant wealth or economic security. These jobs often require some level of education or skill but may not offer high salaries, benefits, or long-term financial growth. Examples include administrative assistants, retail managers, basic technical positions, and skilled trades. Workers in these roles often earn slightly above minimum wage but may still struggle with savings and unexpected expenses.

Infographic showing various Lower Middle Class job openings in Oregon as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,244 per year, or $40.5 per hour.
Head of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Head of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Location: Remote - Flexible

Compensation: Competitive executive base + transaction incentives + meaningful equity ownership

Start Date: ASAP

About Us - Why Join Now

Scientific Safety Alliance, or SSA, exists to Accelerate Science. Delightfully. SSA is growing at an exceptional rate and is rapidly rising Inc Magazines 2024 and 2025 list of fastest growing privately held companies. In just over three years, SSA has created over $300M in enterprise value through disciplined growth and 21 acquisitions. We are now intentionally building the executive leadership team that will take SSA to $1B+ in enterprise value.

We serve the life sciences world - pharmaceutical, biotech, hospital, and research facilities - by removing operational friction so innovation can move faster. SSA is a 100% founder- and employee-owned company, and ownership is real: performance directly compounds value for every team member.

We operate in the lower middle market, acquiring founder-led, technically specialized businesses that serve the life sciences ecosystem. We move fast - but with rigor, integrity, and respect for sellers.

The next phase requires building one of the top 1% M&A platforms in our space.

The Opportunity: Head of M&A

The Head of Mergers & Acquisitions will lead SSA's acquisition strategy end-to-end - from deal sourcing and evaluation through diligence, transaction execution, and post-close integration. This executive will play a critical role in shaping SSA's future by identifying high-quality businesses that strengthen our platform and accelerate our growth.

This role exists to take SSA's M&A engine to the next level. We closed ~10 acquisitions last year. Our goal is to close 15+ high-quality acquisitions per year with industry-leading speed, efficiency, and seller satisfaction - without sacrificing culture or long-term value.

You will build and lead a world-class M&A function, not just execute deals. This role is about scale, systemization, talent, and strategic vision.

How You Will Make an Impact

  • Build, lead, and empower a world-class corporate development and M&A team with the talent, systems, and operating cadence required to execute at industry-leading scale and speed
  • Scale deal velocity to 15+ acquisitions per year with consistent quality
  • Define and execute SSA's acquisition strategy:
    • Target criteria, and long-term M&A roadmap for the lower middle market.
    • End-to-end inorganic growth strategy, including vertical ideation, acquisition theses, and execution
    • Identify and develop roadmap into new niche verticals and service adjacencies that align with SSA's mission and customer base
    • Develop repeatable M&A playbooks, tools, and governance processes to support scale
  • Build and manage a robust pipeline of acquisition targets across SSA's core service lines
  • Lead comprehensive due diligence across financial, operational, legal, and people dimensions
  • Structure and negotiate transactions, including valuation, earn-outs, incentives, and equity participation
  • Partner with internal teams to design and execute integration plans that preserve momentum and culture
  • Streamline internal workflows to reduce manual effort and unnecessary complexity

Deliverables & Outcomes

  • Build and scale one of the top 1% M&A platforms in our space, defined by industry-leading speed, deal quality, operational rigor, and seller experience
  • Development of a sustainable, repeatable M&A engine that compounds value year over year
  • Expansion of SSA into adjacent and emerging service areas driven by regulatory, scientific, and customer demand trends
  • Efficient, repeatable diligence and integration processes that reduce risk and accelerate value creation
  • A differentiated acquisition strategy that balances scale, specialization, and cultural integrity
  • Strong post-close performance and rapid realization of strategic and operational synergies
  • Strategic optionality created through portfolio design, enabling future organic growth, cross-selling, and geographic expansion
  • Clear executive-level reporting on pipeline health, deal performance, and integration progress
  • Transactions that enhance SSA's platform strength, culture, and long-term equity value

What We're Looking For

  • Proven experience building and scaling a world-class M&A function at a highly acquisitive company.
  • Track record of doubling or tripling the size of a business through disciplined acquisition
    (~$50M $250M+ scale preferred)
  • Deep experience in the lower middle market
  • Demonstrated experience creating acquisition strategy, not just executing transactions
  • International M&A or cross-border expansion experience, including evaluating and integrating businesses across different regulatory, cultural, and operating environments
  • Strong financial, strategic, and analytical skills with the ability to assess both quantitative performance and qualitative strategic fit
  • Operator-builder mindset - not a career banker or deal-only profile
  • High integrity, sound judgment, and strong cultural intuition

Benefits

  • Meaningful equity ownership in SSA
  • 401k Match
  • 100% paid Medical Dental & Vision insurance
  • Health insurance (100% for employee and family)
  • Life insurance
  • Generous Paid time off
  • Parental leave

If you have the skills we are looking for and want to be a part of the rocket ship we are building, we want to hear from you!!



Employment Type: FULL_TIME