Salzmann was the son of a glassmaker, born in
Bad Kreuznach. After completing an apprenticeship as a metalworker in Bad Kreuznach, he became head of the Metal Workers' Youth, Chairman of the Red Aid, Works Council Chairman, Chief Organiser of the KPD and political head of the League of Struggle against Fascism in Bad Kreuznach. In 1929 he was elected for the Communist Party in the city council, where he was chairman of the local General German Trade Union Federation. Hugo Salzmann married Juliana Sternat in 1930. On November 2, 1932, their son Hugo was born. ==Exile==