State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Minnesota
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Minnesota, $88,000. After cost-of-living, the gap is 7.8% — not 21%.
Nominal pay gap
+21%
California vs Minnesota
COL-adjusted gap
+7.8%
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%
Minnesota
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $88,000
- p25
- $61,570
- p75
- $105,850
- p10
- $35,510
- p90
- $133,570
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 98.6
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +100%
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.