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State comparison · 2025

Environmental Engineers salary: California vs Tennessee

Occupation

Environmental Engineers in California earn a median of $130,410. In Tennessee, $97,190. After cost-of-living, the gap is 11.4% — not 34.2%.

Nominal pay gap
+34.2%
California vs Tennessee
COL-adjusted gap
+11.4%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Environmental Engineers

Median
$130,410
p25
$95,950
p75
$148,650
p10
$79,790
p90
$170,790
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-59%
See full breakdown for California

Tennessee

Environmental Engineers

Median
$97,190
p25
$74,890
p75
$117,930
p10
$62,630
p90
$142,660
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
91.9
Hiring velocity (180d)
-67%
See full breakdown for Tennessee

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.