State comparison · 2025
Medical Scientists salary: California vs Washington
Medical Scientists in California earn a median of $136,990. In Washington, $105,680. After cost-of-living, the gap is 25.3% — not 29.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+29.6%
California vs Washington
COL-adjusted gap
+25.3%
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%
Washington
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $105,680
- p25
- $80,950
- p75
- $135,900
- p10
- $69,500
- p90
- $173,140
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 107.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -41%
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.