State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Utah
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Utah, $102,500. After cost-of-living, the gap is 14.1% — not 27.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+27.7%
California vs Utah
COL-adjusted gap
+14.1%
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%
Utah
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $102,500
- p25
- $84,500
- p75
- $127,780
- p10
- $73,070
- p90
- $160,640
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 98.9
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -74%
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.