State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Montana
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Montana, $80,260. After cost-of-living, the gap is 13.4% — not 32.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+32.7%
California vs Montana
COL-adjusted gap
+13.4%
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%
Montana
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $80,260
- p25
- $66,300
- p75
- $93,140
- p10
- $64,290
- p90
- $124,800
- 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.