State comparison · 2025
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary: California vs Michigan
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California earn a median of $124,920. In Michigan, $103,210. After cost-of-living, the gap is 5.2% — not 21%.
Nominal pay gap
+21%
California vs Michigan
COL-adjusted gap
+5.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median
- $124,920
- p25
- $105,910
- p75
- $144,910
- p10
- $82,900
- p90
- $175,900
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -45%
Michigan
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median
- $103,210
- p25
- $73,920
- p75
- $134,130
- p10
- $49,580
- p90
- $151,110
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 96.2
- 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.