State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Iowa
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Iowa, $78,780. After cost-of-living, the gap is 7.2% — not 35.2%.
Nominal pay gap
+35.2%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+7.2%
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%
Iowa
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $78,780
- p25
- $62,080
- p75
- $91,070
- p10
- $54,340
- p90
- $117,040
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 87.8
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +100%
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.