State comparison · 2025
Mining and Geological Engineers salary: California vs West Virginia
Mining and Geological Engineers in California earn a median of $158,130. In West Virginia, $97,960. After cost-of-living, the gap is 30.5% — not 61.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+61.4%
California vs West Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+30.5%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Mining and Geological Engineers
- Median
- $158,130
- p25
- $122,120
- p75
- $169,770
- p10
- $84,430
- p90
- $175,940
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -50%
West Virginia
Mining and Geological Engineers
- Median
- $97,960
- p25
- $79,330
- p75
- $120,620
- p10
- $64,010
- p90
- $136,650
- 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.