State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: Arizona vs California
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Arizona, $100,270. After cost-of-living, the gap is 15.8% — not 23.4%.
Nominal pay gap
-23.4%
Arizona vs California
COL-adjusted gap
-15.8%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
Arizona
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $100,270
- p25
- $82,430
- p75
- $128,880
- p10
- $71,030
- p90
- $159,040
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 100.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -69%
California
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $130,900
- p25
- $102,360
- p75
- $166,580
- p10
- $82,070
- p90
- $203,620
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -45%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.