State comparison · 2025
Mining and Geological Engineers salary: California vs Virginia
Mining and Geological Engineers in California earn a median of $158,130. In Virginia, $104,960. After cost-of-living, the gap is 37.6% — not 50.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+50.7%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+37.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Mining and Geological Engineers
- Median
- $158,130
- p25
- $122,120
- p75
- $169,770
- p10
- $84,430
- p90
- $175,940
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -50%
Virginia
Mining and Geological Engineers
- Median
- $104,960
- p25
- $78,230
- p75
- $131,730
- p10
- $67,490
- p90
- $157,260
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 101.1
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -80%
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.