State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Missouri
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Missouri, $99,330. After cost-of-living, the gap is 8.1% — not 31.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+31.8%
California vs Missouri
COL-adjusted gap
+8.1%
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%
Missouri
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $99,330
- p25
- $79,540
- p75
- $120,990
- p10
- $64,750
- p90
- $142,100
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 90.8
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -56%
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.