State comparison · 2025
Medical Scientists salary: California vs North Carolina
Medical Scientists in California earn a median of $136,990. In North Carolina, $102,980. After cost-of-living, the gap is 13.3% — not 33%.
Nominal pay gap
+33%
California vs North Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+13.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $136,990
- p25
- $109,570
- p75
- $162,020
- p10
- $81,320
- p90
- $180,060
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -44%
North Carolina
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $102,980
- p25
- $79,780
- p75
- $134,560
- p10
- $63,800
- p90
- $171,170
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.3
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -39%
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.