State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Michigan
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Michigan, $104,890. After cost-of-living, the gap is 8.5% — not 24.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+24.8%
California vs Michigan
COL-adjusted gap
+8.5%
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%
Michigan
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $104,890
- p25
- $87,640
- p75
- $132,160
- p10
- $76,310
- p90
- $159,840
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 96.2
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -41%
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.