State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Kentucky
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Kentucky, $71,040. After cost-of-living, the gap is 22.2% — not 49.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+49.9%
California vs Kentucky
COL-adjusted gap
+22.2%
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%
Kentucky
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $71,040
- p25
- $56,070
- p75
- $78,850
- p10
- $48,540
- p90
- $94,840
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 90.2
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.