State comparison · 2025
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary: California vs Montana
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California earn a median of $124,920. In Montana, $108,890. After cost-of-living, the gap is 2% — not 14.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+14.7%
California vs Montana
COL-adjusted gap
-2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median
- $124,920
- p25
- $105,910
- p75
- $144,910
- p10
- $82,900
- p90
- $175,900
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -45%
Montana
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median
- $108,890
- p25
- $77,350
- p75
- $128,670
- p10
- $61,110
- p90
- $136,990
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.6
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.