State comparison · 2025
Medical Scientists salary: California vs Tennessee
Medical Scientists in California earn a median of $136,990. In Tennessee, $102,720. After cost-of-living, the gap is 10.7% — not 33.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+33.4%
California vs Tennessee
COL-adjusted gap
+10.7%
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%
Tennessee
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $102,720
- p25
- $81,720
- p75
- $129,940
- p10
- $63,500
- p90
- $155,100
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 91.9
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -28%
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.