State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Tennessee
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Tennessee, $76,840. After cost-of-living, the gap is 15.1% — not 38.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+38.6%
California vs Tennessee
COL-adjusted gap
+15.1%
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%
Tennessee
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $76,840
- p25
- $62,670
- p75
- $99,200
- p10
- $54,040
- p90
- $133,180
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 91.9
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.