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Average Soil and Plant Scientists Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Soil and Plant Scientists in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $69,820. This figure is notably below the national average of $86,470, indicating that local market dynamics and potentially lower demand contribute to this compensation difference. While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the salary differential warrants careful consideration for professionals in this field.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $69,820 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 6.2% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $106,910.
  • Outlook: The local job market for Soil and Plant Scientists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, with a total workforce of 200, presents a modest concentration as indicated by a Location Quotient of 0.64. This suggests that the field is less prevalent in this region compared to the national average. The low number of jobs per 1,000 workers (0.069) further points to a niche market rather than a robustly expanding sector, implying that demand may be stable but not exceptionally high.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$69,820

The average Soil and Plant Scientists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns-19.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$33.6

Weekly

$1,343

Monthly

$5,818

Soil and Plant Scientists Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Salary progression for Soil and Plant Scientists typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with specialized expertise and a proven track record can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The widening gap between the 25th and 75th percentiles, for instance, clearly signifies the career advancement and increased earning potential available as one moves from junior to senior roles within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$48,350$23.2
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$52,365$25.2
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$64,300$30.9
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$87,275$42
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$106,910$51.4

Detailed Soil and Plant Scientists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$69,820

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$69,820

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $69,820 for Soil and Plant Scientists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington aligns precisely with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that, on average, the purchasing power of this salary within the region is equivalent to the national average. While the nominal salary is lower than the national average for the profession, the stable cost of living suggests that the real value of the income is not significantly diminished by local expenses.

Job Market Context

200

Total Jobs

0.069

Per 1K Jobs

0.64

Location Quotient

Below Average

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has 0.64x the national average concentration of Soil and Plant Scientists 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 0.64, the job market for Soil and Plant Scientists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is less concentrated than the national average. This indicates that the profession is not a dominant industry within the region, suggesting a potentially less competitive environment for job seekers but also potentially fewer opportunities compared to areas with a higher concentration. The abundance of roles is relatively low, meaning employers may have a wider selection of candidates, but specialized talent might be in higher demand.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Soil and Plant Scientistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Soil and Plant Scientists make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

The median annual salary for a Soil and Plant Scientists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $69,820. This typically ranges from $48,350 for entry-level positions to $106,910 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 19.3% lower than the national median of $86,470.

Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Soil and Plant Scientists?

No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $69,820 is significantly lower than the national average of $86,470, despite a cost of living that is on par with the national average.

Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Soil and Plant Scientists?

The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the local workforce size affect job prospects?

A local workforce of 200 Soil and Plant Scientists suggests a relatively small talent pool, which could mean less competition for experienced individuals but also fewer overall job openings compared to larger metropolitan areas.

What does a Location Quotient of 0.64 signify?

A Location Quotient of 0.64 means that Soil and Plant Scientists are 36% less concentrated in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area than the national average, indicating a niche market.

How does the Cost of Living Index impact the salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the $69,820 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average, meaning that while the nominal pay is lower, the local expenses do not further reduce its real value.

Are there many job opportunities for Soil and Plant Scientists in this region?

The low figure of 0.069 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests that opportunities for Soil and Plant Scientists are limited in this specific metropolitan area, indicating a less robust job market.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 200 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 0.069 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Semantic Salary Analysis for Soil and Plant Scientists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD