State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs North Dakota
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In North Dakota, $86,330. After cost-of-living, the gap is 21.9% — not 51.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+51.6%
California vs North Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+21.9%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $130,900
- p25
- $102,360
- p75
- $166,580
- p10
- $82,070
- p90
- $203,620
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -45%
North Dakota
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $86,330
- p25
- $77,990
- p75
- $114,830
- p10
- $63,930
- p90
- $136,060
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 89.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -50%
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.