Graphic memo

Memorandum Date: Septemb er 23 , 2014 To: Courtney Harned, Technical Writing Instructor From: Lindsey Hughes, Aspiring Plant /Soil Scientist Subject: Comparison of 50 th and 90 th Percentile Wage s in Select States for Soil and Plant Scientists Background As an agricultural science major I am very interested in the data of annual mean wage, and with these states in particular they are close to my home state of Maryland, which is where I would be interested in staying in or near by. Wage is important, in particular the 50 th and 90 th percentile. Which states would offer me the best livable wage in the future would greatly affect my decision on where to go. Figure 1 below shows the annual mean wage in select states for soil and plant scientists. Figure 1 Figure 1. Comparison of 50 th and 90 th percent wages in select states for soil and plant scientists. Source of data: United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2013, March 29). Soil and plant scientists. Occupational Employment and Wages, May 201 3. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/oes/2012/may/oes191013.htm Explanation Figure 1 above show the 50 th and 90 th percentile of annual mean wage of soil and plant scientists in states selected based on their proximity to Maryland. The state of Maryland itself has the annual mean wage of $68,500 at the 50 th percentile, and $136,760 at the 90 th. Pennsylvania has $61,660 at the 50 th and $106,020 at the 90 th. Delaware has $52,260 at the 50 th and $81,830 at the 90 th. New Jersey has $71,170 at the 50 th and $104,360 at the 90 th. Virginia has $56,540 at the 50 th and $109,810 at the 90 th. North Carolina has $56,000 at the 50 th and $104,850 at the 90 th. Maryland has an excellent wage, and it is close to my home. $68,500 $61,660 $52,260 $71,170 $56,540 $56,000 $136,760 $106,020 $81,830 $104,360 $109,810 $104,850 $0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000 $140,000 $160,000 M a r y l a n d P e n n s y l v a n i a D e l a w a r e N e w J e r s e y V i r g i n i a N o r t h C a r o l i n a Annual mean wage in dollars Select states by interest C o m p a r i s o n o f 5 0 t h a n d 9 0 t h P e r c e n t i l e Wa g e s 50th Percentile 90th Percentile