State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Illinois
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Illinois, $81,590. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.9% — not 30.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+30.5%
California vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+17.9%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $106,510
- p25
- $81,480
- p75
- $132,770
- p10
- $65,350
- p90
- $161,910
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -44%
Illinois
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $81,590
- p25
- $60,790
- p75
- $121,040
- p10
- $46,540
- p90
- $153,150
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 100.0
- 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.