State comparison · 2025
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary: California vs New Mexico
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California earn a median of $124,920. In New Mexico, $110,070. After cost-of-living, the gap is 5.5% — not 13.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+13.5%
California vs New Mexico
COL-adjusted gap
-5.5%
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%
New Mexico
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median
- $110,070
- p25
- $89,560
- p75
- $136,990
- p10
- $61,760
- p90
- $161,890
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 92.2
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.