State comparison · 2025
Medical Scientists salary: California vs South Dakota
Medical Scientists in California earn a median of $136,990. In South Dakota, $80,890. After cost-of-living, the gap is 35.5% — not 69.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+69.4%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+35.5%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $136,990
- p25
- $109,570
- p75
- $162,020
- p10
- $81,320
- p90
- $180,060
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -44%
South Dakota
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $80,890
- p25
- $64,420
- p75
- $89,220
- p10
- $59,470
- p90
- $127,120
- 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.