State comparison · 2025
Environmental Scientists and Specialists salary: California vs Washington
Environmental Scientists and Specialists in California earn a median of $106,510. In Washington, $98,300. After cost-of-living, the gap is 4.7% — not 8.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+8.4%
California vs Washington
COL-adjusted gap
+4.7%
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%
Washington
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Median
- $98,300
- p25
- $79,950
- p75
- $127,770
- p10
- $71,140
- p90
- $153,960
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 107.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -62%
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.