State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Virginia
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Virginia, $104,180. After cost-of-living, the gap is 14.8% — not 25.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+25.6%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+14.8%
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%
Virginia
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $104,180
- p25
- $85,410
- p75
- $131,250
- p10
- $77,840
- p90
- $160,770
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 101.1
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -47%
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.