State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs South Dakota
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In South Dakota, $88,380. After cost-of-living, the gap is 18.5% — not 48.1%.
Nominal pay gap
+48.1%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+18.5%
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%
South Dakota
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $88,380
- p25
- $77,160
- p75
- $106,850
- p10
- $65,130
- p90
- $134,140
- 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.