State comparison · 2025
Mining and Geological Engineers salary: California vs South Carolina
Mining and Geological Engineers in California earn a median of $158,130. In South Carolina, $98,790. After cost-of-living, the gap is 35.5% — not 60.1%.
Nominal pay gap
+60.1%
California vs South Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+35.5%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Mining and Geological Engineers
- Median
- $158,130
- p25
- $122,120
- p75
- $169,770
- p10
- $84,430
- p90
- $175,940
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -50%
South Carolina
Mining and Geological Engineers
- Median
- $98,790
- p25
- $82,240
- p75
- $128,430
- p10
- $68,090
- p90
- $139,760
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 93.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +400%
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.