State comparison · 2025
Medical Scientists salary: California vs Iowa
Medical Scientists in California earn a median of $136,990. In Iowa, $83,850. After cost-of-living, the gap is 29.6% — not 63.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+63.4%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+29.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $136,990
- p25
- $109,570
- p75
- $162,020
- p10
- $81,320
- p90
- $180,060
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -44%
Iowa
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $83,850
- p25
- $67,190
- p75
- $104,020
- p10
- $59,580
- p90
- $142,140
- 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.