State comparison · 2025
Medical Scientists salary: California vs Virginia
Medical Scientists in California earn a median of $136,990. In Virginia, $93,620. After cost-of-living, the gap is 33.6% — not 46.3%.
Nominal pay gap
+46.3%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+33.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $136,990
- p25
- $109,570
- p75
- $162,020
- p10
- $81,320
- p90
- $180,060
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -44%
Virginia
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $93,620
- p25
- $77,120
- p75
- $134,940
- p10
- $65,540
- p90
- $186,810
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 101.1
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +2%
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.