State comparison · 2025
Medical Scientists salary: California vs West Virginia
Medical Scientists in California earn a median of $136,990. In West Virginia, $82,690. After cost-of-living, the gap is 33.9% — not 65.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+65.7%
California vs West Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+33.9%
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%
West Virginia
Medical Scientists
- Median
- $82,690
- p25
- $72,350
- p75
- $106,710
- p10
- $61,950
- p90
- $173,900
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 89.5
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +33%
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.