State comparison · 2025
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary: California vs West Virginia
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in California earn a median of $124,920. In West Virginia, $80,690. After cost-of-living, the gap is 25.2% — not 54.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+54.8%
California vs West Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+25.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median
- $124,920
- p25
- $105,910
- p75
- $144,910
- p10
- $82,900
- p90
- $175,900
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -45%
West Virginia
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median
- $80,690
- p25
- $52,060
- p75
- $100,420
- p10
- $41,650
- p90
- $136,990
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 89.5
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.