State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Pennsylvania
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Pennsylvania, $97,920. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.9% — not 33.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+33.7%
California vs Pennsylvania
COL-adjusted gap
+17.9%
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%
Pennsylvania
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $97,920
- p25
- $79,090
- p75
- $125,270
- p10
- $65,770
- p90
- $150,950
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 97.6
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -51%
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.