State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Louisiana
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Louisiana, $119,540. After cost-of-living, the gap is 12.8% — not 9.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+9.5%
California vs Louisiana
COL-adjusted gap
-12.8%
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%
Louisiana
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $119,540
- p25
- $81,790
- p75
- $147,560
- p10
- $70,350
- p90
- $181,550
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.2
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -50%
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.