Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of salivary gland tumors and their pathological types. Methods: Data from 2 456 patients with salivary gland tumors diagnosed between January 1973 and December 2018 at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were collected, and their gender, age and tumor pathological type, location, and benign and malignant composition ratios were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Over the 46-year study period, 2 456 patients with salivary gland tumors were treated; 41.9% were female, and 58.1% were male. The peak incidence was found among the 40 to 60 years of age group, in which 593 (24.1%) patients had malignant tumors and 1 863 (75.9%) had benign tumors. The ratio of benign and malignant tumors was 3.1∶1. The top two most common benign tumors were pleomorphic adenoma (58.7%) and Warthin tumors (33.6%). The top two most common malignant tumors were mucoepidermoid carcinoma (27.7%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (26.1%). The most common sites of benign pleomorphic adenomas were the parotid glands, palate, and submandibular glands. Mucinous epidermoid carcinomas in malignant tumors were common in the parotid glands and small salivary glands. The incidence of salivary gland tumors in this group has increased each year, and this group accounted for 53.3% of the total cases over the past 10 years. Conclusion The number of patients with salivary gland tumors is increasing each year. The total incidence of salivary gland tumors is higher in men than in women. Large salivary gland tumors are mainly benign tumors, and small salivary gland tumors are more common. Polymorphic adenomas, Warthin tumors, and mucoepidermoid carcinomas are the most common tumor types; patients 40~60 years old are most likely to have benign salivary glands and have a high incidence of malignant tumors.