In Northwestern Pennsylvania's nonmetropolitan area, professionals in Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations earn an average annual salary of $68,780. This figure falls below the national average of $91,840, a common trend in regions with a lower cost of living and potentially less concentrated industry demand. The specific economic landscape and industry focus of this area directly influence compensation levels for these specialized roles.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $68,780 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $104,000.
- Outlook: The job market for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Northwestern Pennsylvania's nonmetropolitan area is moderately sized, with a total local workforce of 1,280 individuals in these fields. The Location Quotient of 0.91 suggests a concentration slightly below the national average, indicating that while these professions are present, they are not disproportionately dominant compared to other regions. This suggests a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, demand for these specialized skills within the local economy.
Salary Overview
The average Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area earns-25.1%below the national average.
$33.1
$1,323
$5,732
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in nonmetropolitan areas like Northwestern Pennsylvania have experienced gradual growth over the past four years. This trend is often driven by inflation, increasing demand for specialized skills, and the need for competitive compensation to retain talent, even in regions with a lower cost of living.
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary Distribution in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
Salary progression for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while mid-career professionals can expect a substantial increase. Senior roles, characterized by advanced expertise, leadership responsibilities, and specialized knowledge, command the highest salaries, with significant percentile gaps between experience levels reflecting clear career advancement opportunities.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $44,460 | $21.4 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $51,585 | $24.8 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $63,540 | $30.5 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $85,975 | $41.3 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $104,000 | $50 |
Detailed Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$68,780
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$68,780
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $68,780 in Northwestern Pennsylvania's nonmetropolitan area aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this salary is effectively equivalent to the national average, making it a neutral factor in terms of affordability for those relocating.
Job Market Context
1,280
Total Jobs
8.497
Per 1K Jobs
0.91
Location Quotient
Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area has 0.91x the national average concentration of Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
With a Location Quotient of 0.91, the job market for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Northwestern Pennsylvania's nonmetropolitan area is nearly on par with the national average in terms of concentration. This indicates a balanced market where the number of jobs is relatively proportional to the general workforce. It suggests a stable demand without extreme competition or a significant surplus of available talent, offering a predictable employment landscape.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Williamsport, PA Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary | $71,460↑ 4% | 9 mi |
| State College, PA Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary | $75,240↑ 9% | 45 mi |
| Elmira, NY Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary | $78,020↑ 13% | 65 mi |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary | $79,280↑ 15% | 66 mi |
| Lebanon, PA Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary | $76,760↑ 12% | 72 mi |
Comparing salaries near Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
Hiring Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupationss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations make in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area?
The median annual salary for a Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area is $68,780. This typically ranges from $44,460 for entry-level positions to $104,000 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area is 25.1% lower than the national median of $91,840.
Is Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area a lucrative place for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupationss?
No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $68,780 is notably lower than the national average of $91,840. However, the cost of living is also at the national average, meaning the purchasing power is comparable.
Is Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area a good place to live for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations?
The Cost of Living Index in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area?
Some top paying nearby cities include Williamsport, PA ($71,460) and State College, PA.
How does the total local workforce size impact job prospects?
A local workforce of 1,280 in these fields suggests a moderate-sized market. While not as large as metropolitan areas, it indicates a consistent presence and potential for stable employment opportunities within the region.
What does a Location Quotient of 0.91 signify?
A Location Quotient of 0.91 means that Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations are present in Northwestern Pennsylvania at a rate slightly below the national average. This suggests a balanced, but not overly concentrated, industry presence.
How does the cost of living affect the salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local expenses match the national average. Therefore, the $68,780 salary offers a purchasing power equivalent to the national average salary, despite being numerically lower.
Are there many jobs per 1,000 workers in this field locally?
With 8.497 jobs per 1,000 workers, this indicates a solid representation of Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations within the local labor market, suggesting consistent demand for these professionals.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,280 employees in the Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area area with a job density of 8.497 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- All Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Production Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Management Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Healthcare Support Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Browse All Jobs in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area