Very closely related and similar to Trimerotropis pallidipennis, but differs in hind wings proportionately wider and shorter, with usually much wider and differently shaped dark cross band (east of Rockies), or with the band usually fainter and less developed (Great Basin); with the yellow color of of the wing usually paler and less transparent, sometimes nearly white; proportions of body slightly more "stocky" with head proportionately somewhat larger; often with yellow on head and pronotum, especially below; habitat and behavior are different. This species is usually strictly limited to its small alkaline habitats, and while very active and difficult to approach, it usually makes shorter and less direct flights than T. pallidipennis, and will usually circle back to it's prefered habitat. It produces a similar relatively high-pitched interrupted buzzing when it flies.

T. saxatilis is also very similar, but averages smaller than T. salina when from the same area; with the dark wing band usually narrower and more irregular in shape, curving around the outer edge of the wing not so far. It occurs on rock outcroppings. T. diversellus is very like T. saxatilis, and may be the same thing from further west.

T. pseudofasciata is also extremely similar, and can be easily confused with T. salina in the Great Basin region where usually both have little or no dark band across the hind wing. They may sometimes be found together, they sound similar, and they behave in very similar fashion. However, the wings and hind tibiae of T. pseudofasciata are usually bluish (wings are never yellowish, though hind tibiae may be). Also, the crest of the pronotum is much more prominent and strongly bilobed toward the front, and there is sometimes a tooth at the lower rear angle of the lateral lobes of the pronotum.

T. huroniana is very closely related as well, but is found along the northern shores of the Great Lakes further to the east, and has wings more like those of T. pallidipennis.

On the Great Plains T. latifasciata can look similar, but is usually noisier and more powerful in flight (producing a louder, deeper, harsher sound); the coloring is often, but not always browner, and the hind tibiae and inner hind femur are red.