Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area earn an impressive average annual salary of $98,650. 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 driving compensation in this region. The robust local economy and specific environmental challenges or opportunities within the Portland metropolitan area likely contribute to this elevated pay scale.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $98,650 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 15.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $138,510.
- Outlook: The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA region supports a local workforce of 980 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health. With a Location Quotient of 1.46, this indicates a concentration of these roles that is 46% higher than the national average. This suggests a robust job market with a notable demand for environmental expertise, signaling a healthy and potentially growing sector within the local economy.
Salary Overview
The average Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA earns+7.8%above the national average.
$47.4
$1,897
$8,221
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area have experienced steady growth over the past four years. This trend is generally observed nationwide due to increasing environmental regulations, a growing awareness of sustainability, and the continuous need for expert analysis and management of environmental issues.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary Distribution in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Career progression for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health typically sees a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and a proven track record can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The widening gap between entry-level and senior roles reflects the accumulation of expertise, responsibility, and demonstrated value to employers.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $58,710 | $28.2 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $73,988 | $35.6 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $97,380 | $46.8 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $123,313 | $59.3 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $138,510 | $66.6 |
Detailed Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$98,650
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$98,650
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $98,650 in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the higher nominal salary effectively translates to purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making the region financially comparable to other parts of the country in terms of everyday expenses.
Job Market Context
980
Total Jobs
0.806
Per 1K Jobs
1.46
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.46, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health roles compared to the national norm.
A Location Quotient of 1.46 for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA signifies a market where these professionals are more concentrated than the national average. This suggests a competitive environment, but also one with abundant opportunities and a strong ecosystem of related industries and government agencies that rely on this specialized talent.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Comparing salaries near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median annual salary for a Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $98,650. This typically ranges from $58,710 for entry-level positions to $138,510 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 7.8% higher than the national median of $91,550.
Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA a lucrative place for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health?
Yes, it is a lucrative place for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health.The average salary of $98,650 is notably higher than the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, indicating strong purchasing power for these professionals.
Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA a good place to live for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healths?
The Cost of Living Index in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Salem, OR ($96,310) and Longview-Kelso, WA.
How does the local job market compare to the national average for Environmental Scientists?
The local job market in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is more concentrated than the national average, with a Location Quotient of 1.46, suggesting a higher demand and more opportunities relative to the size of the workforce.
What is the average salary for an Environmental Scientist in Portland?
The average annual salary for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area is $98,650.
How does the cost of living in Portland affect the salary?
The Cost of Living Index in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 100, which is the national average. This means the $98,650 salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What does the concentration of Environmental Scientists in Portland indicate?
A Location Quotient of 1.46 indicates a higher concentration of these professionals than the national average, suggesting a specialized and potentially competitive job market with strong local demand.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 980 employees in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area with a job density of 0.806 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA