Salam began his career as a businessman after graduation. He joined the political field at the beginning of the 1970s. He established the Pioneers of Reform Movement () in 1973. The objective of the movement was to follow a moderate policy in the middle of the turmoil in the country. On the other hand, the movement was also regarded as the private militia group of Salam's father, Saeb Salam. However, the movement was dissolved by Tammam Salam at the initial phase of the Lebanese civil war in order to avoid being part of the militant activities.