SOC 151221

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

National Median

$140,910

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$140,910

Entry Level (10th pct)

$80,670

Experienced (90th pct)

$232,120

Total Employed

38,480

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$80,670 - $102,710
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$102,710 - $181,210
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$181,210 - $232,120

Highest Paying Locations for Computer and Information Research Scientists

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$232,120

+64.7% vs national

Richmond, VA

$231,930

+64.6% vs national

Washington

$221,990

+57.5% vs national

New York

$197,390

+40.1% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$191,880

+36.2% vs national

Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$232,120	2,070
Richmond, VA	$231,930	80
Washington	$221,990	2,590
New York	$197,390	1,320
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$191,880	2,190
Albuquerque, NM	$180,520	270
Oregon	$180,010	660
Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area	$178,120	N/A
New Mexico	$178,120	N/A
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$177,360	90
West Virginia	$170,750	50
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$170,100	130
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$169,510	650
Boise City, ID	$169,340	N/A
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$168,820	1,860
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$167,300	1,520
Massachusetts	$166,910	1,800
Wisconsin	$166,690	30
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$166,080	1,430
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$163,100	210
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$161,850	150
Idaho	$161,130	N/A
Idaho Falls, ID	$161,130	60
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$160,550	80
Worcester, MA	$157,530	70
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$156,360	3,150
California	$156,290	8,570
District of Columbia	$153,630	330
Virginia	$153,340	3,150
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$152,780	1,040
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$150,030	220
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$149,070	1,120
Boulder, CO	$147,040	90
New Jersey	$146,290	1,110
Maryland	$141,540	2,750
Binghamton, NY	$140,550	40
Hawaii	$140,150	90
Urban Honolulu, HI	$140,150	80
Columbus, OH	$138,590	60
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$136,500	40
Ohio	$135,640	270
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$135,120	230
Illinois	$135,120	350
Charlottesville, VA	$134,160	50
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$133,290	80
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$132,660	150
Pittsburgh, PA	$132,290	60
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$131,810	50
Minnesota	$131,770	50
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$131,190	110

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Computer and Information Research Scientists?

The national median annual salary for Computer and Information Research Scientists is $140,910, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Computer and Information Research Scientistss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Computer and Information Research Scientistss is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, with a median salary of $232,120.

How much can an experienced Computer and Information Research Scientists make?

Top-earning Computer and Information Research Scientistss (90th percentile) make $232,120 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.