RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Environmental Engineers salary: California vs Virginia

Occupation

Environmental Engineers in California earn a median of $130,410. In Virginia, $104,940. After cost-of-living, the gap is 13.5% — not 24.3%.

Nominal pay gap
+24.3%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+13.5%
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

Virginia

Environmental Engineers

Median
$104,940
p25
$83,010
p75
$131,700
p10
$65,520
p90
$157,990
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
101.1
Hiring velocity (180d)
-90%
See full breakdown for Virginia

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.