State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Minnesota
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Minnesota, $99,140. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.6% — not 32%.
Nominal pay gap
+32%
California vs Minnesota
COL-adjusted gap
+17.6%
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%
Minnesota
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $99,140
- p25
- $81,860
- p75
- $128,690
- p10
- $75,870
- p90
- $151,580
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 98.6
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -53%
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.