State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Washington
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Washington, $110,430. After cost-of-living, the gap is 14.6% — not 18.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+18.5%
California vs Washington
COL-adjusted gap
+14.6%
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%
Washington
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $110,430
- p25
- $94,560
- p75
- $139,870
- p10
- $79,400
- p90
- $167,680
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 107.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -50%
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.