State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs South Dakota
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In South Dakota, $68,230. After cost-of-living, the gap is 24.9% — not 56.1%.
Nominal pay gap
+56.1%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+24.9%
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%
South Dakota
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $68,230
- p25
- $62,910
- p75
- $79,880
- p10
- $49,390
- p90
- $97,060
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
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.