SOC 19-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — Northeastern Pennsylvania
Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, PA the median wage is $70,620.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, PA the median wage is $70,620. That is 14.1% lower than the national median of $82,220. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $57,510 and $98,740. The lowest tenth earn under $50,700, while the highest tenth earn more than $116,750.
Employment stands at 60, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Harrisburg leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $82,220. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 90th of 350 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,700 | −38.3% |
| 25th | $57,510 | −30.1% |
| Median (50th) | $70,620 | −14.1% |
| 75th | $98,740 | +20.1% |
| 90th | $116,750 | +42.0% |
| Mean | $78,110 | −5.0% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $82,220 | 270 | |
| 2 | Scranton | $78,690 | 70 | |
| 3 | Philadelphia | $77,710 | 1,500 | |
| 4 | York | $76,500 | 90 | |
| 5 | Allentown | $75,400 | 100 | |
| 6 | Altoona | $67,410 | 70 | |
| 7 | Reading | $66,730 | 50 | |
| 8 | Lancaster | $66,310 | 80 | |
| 9 | Pittsburgh | $65,360 | 540 | |
| 10 | Erie | $50,810 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeastern Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $70,620 goes as far as $72,357 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$70,620as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,357US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $70,620 a year, 14.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,700 to $116,750 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Harrisburg, at $82,220.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Northeastern Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $70,620, or $33.95 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $82,220, so pay in Northeastern Pennsylvania, PA is 14.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northeastern Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $116,750 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,700 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Harrisburg, at $82,220 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Northeastern Pennsylvania, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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