State comparison · 2025
Mining and Geological Engineers salary: California vs Montana
Mining and Geological Engineers in California earn a median of $158,130. In Montana, $105,410. After cost-of-living, the gap is 28.2% — not 50%.
Nominal pay gap
+50%
California vs Montana
COL-adjusted gap
+28.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Mining and Geological Engineers
- Median
- $158,130
- p25
- $122,120
- p75
- $169,770
- p10
- $84,430
- p90
- $175,940
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -50%
Montana
Mining and Geological Engineers
- Median
- $105,410
- p25
- $98,200
- p75
- $106,350
- p10
- $78,690
- p90
- $129,850
- 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.