State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Michigan
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Michigan, $76,080. After cost-of-living, the gap is 21.7% — not 40%.
Nominal pay gap
+40%
California vs Michigan
COL-adjusted gap
+21.7%
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%
Michigan
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $76,080
- p25
- $61,120
- p75
- $94,520
- p10
- $52,300
- p90
- $111,770
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 96.2
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -60%
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.