Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Kennewick-Richland, WA, earn an impressive average annual salary of $113,800. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $91,550, indicating a strong local demand and potentially higher cost of doing business or specialized industry needs within the region that drive this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $113,800 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 25.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $169,580.
- Outlook: The Kennewick-Richland area demonstrates a robust job market for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health, with a total local workforce of 330 professionals. The exceptionally high Location Quotient of 4.66 suggests a substantial concentration of these roles compared to the national average, pointing towards a strong and sustained demand for this expertise within the local economy.
Salary Overview
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Kennewick-Richland, WA earns+24.3%above the national average.
$54.7
$2,188
$9,483
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that the salary for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Kennewick-Richland has experienced growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Factors such as increasing environmental regulations, a growing awareness of sustainability, and the need for specialized expertise likely contribute to upward pressure on compensation in this field.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Distribution in Kennewick-Richland, WA
Career progression for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Kennewick-Richland typically correlates with experience. Entry-level positions will command lower salaries, while senior scientists with extensive experience and specialized knowledge can expect to earn significantly more, potentially reaching into the upper percentiles of the $113,800 average. The widening salary gap between junior and senior roles reflects the value placed on accumulated expertise and leadership.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $65,610 | $31.5 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $85,350 | $41 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $108,310 | $52.1 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $142,250 | $68.4 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $169,580 | $81.5 |
Detailed Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$113,800
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$113,800
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $113,800 in Kennewick-Richland, WA, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which represents the national average. This means that the purchasing power of an Environmental Scientist's salary in this area is equivalent to the national standard, offering a stable financial footing without the immediate pressure of a significantly higher or lower cost of living.
Job Market Context
330
Total Jobs
2.565
Per 1K Jobs
4.66
Location Quotient
Kennewick-Richland, WA has 4.7x the national concentration of Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 4.66, Kennewick-Richland, WA, exhibits a highly concentrated market for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health. This indicates that the region has a disproportionately large number of these professionals relative to the national average, suggesting a specialized industry presence or a significant cluster of environmental-focused organizations that create a competitive yet abundant job landscape.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WA Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary | $75,740↓ 33% | 71 mi |
Comparing salaries near Kennewick-Richland, WA
Hiring Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The median annual salary for a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Kennewick-Richland, WA is $113,800. This typically ranges from $65,610 for entry-level positions to $169,580 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Kennewick-Richland, WA is 24.3% higher than the national median of $91,550.
Is Kennewick-Richland, WA a lucrative place for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative place.The average salary of $113,800 is substantially higher than the national average, and the strong concentration of roles (LQ of 4.66) indicates robust demand and competitive compensation.
Is Kennewick-Richland, WA a good place to live for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
The Cost of Living Index in Kennewick-Richland, WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Kennewick-Richland, WA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Yakima, WA ($75,740) and others.
How does the number of jobs per 1,000 workers compare nationally?
With 2.565 jobs per 1,000 workers, Kennewick-Richland has a higher concentration of Environmental Scientist roles than the national average, further underscoring local demand.
What does a Location Quotient of 4.66 signify?
A Location Quotient of 4.66 means that Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health are employed in Kennewick-Richland at a rate 4.66 times higher than the national average, indicating a specialized and concentrated job market.
How does the cost of living affect the salary?
The cost of living in Kennewick-Richland is at the national average (100), meaning the $113,800 salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, providing good financial stability.
What is the total number of Environmental Scientists in Kennewick-Richland?
There are approximately 330 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health employed within the Kennewick-Richland, WA area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 330 employees in the Kennewick-Richland, WA area with a job density of 2.565 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Kennewick-Richland, WA