State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Vermont
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Vermont, $107,330. After cost-of-living, the gap is 8% — not 22%.
Nominal pay gap
+22%
California vs Vermont
COL-adjusted gap
+8%
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%
Vermont
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $107,330
- p25
- $87,360
- p75
- $127,100
- p10
- $83,820
- p90
- $150,380
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 98.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -60%
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.