State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Virginia
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Virginia, $82,230. After cost-of-living, the gap is 18.3% — not 29.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+29.5%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+18.3%
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%
Virginia
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $82,230
- p25
- $68,030
- p75
- $102,750
- p10
- $57,720
- p90
- $135,580
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 101.1
- 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.