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Average Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME

In Portland-South Portland, ME, professionals in Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations earn an average annual salary of $79,610. This figure is notably below the national average of $91,840, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially a different industry focus influence compensation in this region. The specific economic landscape of Portland-South Portland shapes the earning potential for these vital scientific roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $79,610 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 10.3% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $121,730.
  • Outlook: The local job market for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Portland-South Portland, ME, shows a moderate presence, with a total workforce of 2,510 individuals in these fields. The Location Quotient of 0.94 indicates that the concentration of these jobs is slightly below the national average, suggesting a stable but not exceptionally high demand compared to other regions. With 8.828 jobs per 1,000 workers, the market offers consistent opportunities for skilled professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$79,610

The average Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Portland-South Portland, ME earns-13.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$38.3

Weekly

$1,531

Monthly

$6,634

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Salary Distribution in Portland-South Portland, ME

Career progression within Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Portland-South Portland, ME, significantly impacts earning potential. Entry-level positions typically start at the lower end of the salary spectrum, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command substantially higher salaries. The percentile gaps between junior and senior roles reflect the value placed on expertise, leadership, and advanced contributions within the scientific community.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$47,370$22.8
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$59,708$28.7
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$71,760$34.5
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$99,513$47.8
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$121,730$58.5

Detailed Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$79,610

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$79,610

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $79,610 in Portland-South Portland, ME, aligns precisely with the national average cost of living, indicated by an index of 100. This means that the nominal salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the cost of goods and services locally is neither a significant advantage nor a disadvantage when compared to the rest of the country.

Job Market Context

2,510

Total Jobs

8.828

Per 1K Jobs

0.94

Location Quotient

Below Average

Portland-South Portland, ME has 0.94x 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 0.94, the job market for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Portland-South Portland, ME, is nearly on par with the national average in terms of concentration. This suggests a balanced market where opportunities exist but are not overwhelmingly abundant, indicating a moderate level of competition among professionals. Employers likely seek qualified candidates, but the demand isn't exceptionally high, creating a stable employment environment.

Nearby Job Markets

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations make in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The median annual salary for a Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations in Portland-South Portland, ME is $79,610. This typically ranges from $47,370 for entry-level positions to $121,730 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Portland-South Portland, ME is 13.3% lower than the national median of $91,840.

Is Portland-South Portland, ME a lucrative place for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupationss?

No, it is not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $79,610 is below the national average of $91,840, although the cost of living is at the national average.

Is Portland-South Portland, ME a good place to live for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations?

The Cost of Living Index in Portland-South Portland, ME is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Portland-South Portland, ME?

Some top paying nearby cities include Lewiston-Auburn, ME ($80,850) and Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area.

How does the Portland-South Portland, ME salary compare to the national average?

The average salary of $79,610 in Portland-South Portland, ME, is approximately 13.3% lower than the national average of $91,840 for Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations.

What is the concentration of Life, Physical, and Social Science jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.94, indicating that these jobs are slightly less prevalent in Portland-South Portland, ME, compared to the national average.

How does the cost of living affect the salary in Portland-South Portland, ME?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local cost of living matches the national average, meaning the $79,610 salary has average purchasing power.

What is the total number of Life, Physical, and Social Science professionals in Portland-South Portland, ME?

There are approximately 2,510 individuals employed in Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations within the Portland-South Portland, ME, metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,510 employees in the Portland-South Portland, ME area with a job density of 8.828 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.