State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Pennsylvania
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Pennsylvania, $76,110. After cost-of-living, the gap is 23.4% — not 39.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+39.9%
California vs Pennsylvania
COL-adjusted gap
+23.4%
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%
Pennsylvania
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $76,110
- p25
- $60,420
- p75
- $95,910
- p10
- $50,660
- p90
- $125,520
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 97.6
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -20%
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.