State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Idaho
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Idaho, $93,190. After cost-of-living, the gap is 21.2% — not 40.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+40.5%
California vs Idaho
COL-adjusted gap
+21.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
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%
Idaho
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $93,190
- p25
- $76,540
- p75
- $108,570
- p10
- $63,660
- p90
- $141,020
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 95.5
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -67%
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.