Computer and Information Research Scientists: salary, outlook & degrees
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.
Middle half $103,570–$188,700. 37,200 jobs.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
96% hold a bachelor's or higher. Those with one: $101,525.
Census ACS 2020-2024 microdata, workers with at least a high school diploma; EducationGuide calculation
About 2,900 openings a year, including replacements.
BLS Employment Projections 2025-35
Extensive preparation (usually a graduate degree).
BLS; O*NET 31.0 job zone
Degrees that lead to this career
What workers ages 25-34 in this job studied, among those with a bachelor's or higher. This is what people actually did, not a requirement.
| Field of bachelor's degree | Share | Degree pages |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 39% | Computer Science |
| Electrical Engineering | 5% | Electrical Engineering |
| Psychology | 4% | Psychology |
| Biology | 4% | Biology |
| Physics | 3% | Physics |
| Computer Engineering | 3% | Computer Engineering |
| Mathematics | 2% | Mathematics |
| Chemical Engineering | 2% | Chemical Engineering |
| Mechanical Engineering | 2% | Mechanical Engineering |
| Mass Media | 2% | Broadcasting / Digital Media |
Census ACS 2020-2024 microdata (ages 25-34, employed, bachelor's or higher; top 10 fields); EducationGuide calculation.
Education workers say the job requires
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers (“required level of education”); small samples, so treat shares as approximate.
Pay by state and metro
| State | Median wage |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $206,220 |
| Washington | $202,400 |
| New York | $181,990 |
| Massachusetts | $170,510 |
| New Mexico | $165,690 |
| California | $159,100 |
| Virginia | $157,390 |
| Maryland | $145,310 |
| District of Columbia | $144,190 |
| New Jersey | $140,840 |
| Illinois | $136,540 |
| New Hampshire | $136,160 |
| Minnesota | $135,850 |
| Ohio | $135,510 |
| Hawaii | $134,350 |
| Nevada | $134,310 |
| Colorado | $133,160 |
| Connecticut | $131,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $130,300 |
| Arizona | $129,760 |
| North Carolina | $128,370 |
| Missouri | $127,820 |
| South Carolina | $126,980 |
| Rhode Island | $121,470 |
| Texas | $121,210 |
| Florida | $119,810 |
| Alabama | $117,870 |
| Louisiana | $115,210 |
| Mississippi | $109,050 |
| Tennessee | $108,830 |
| Utah | $94,700 |
| Oklahoma | $93,100 |
| Georgia | $92,250 |
| Indiana | $85,460 |
| Michigan | $82,590 |
Florida metro areas
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford$116,470
- Panama City-Panama City Beach$105,660
- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater$109,660
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach$132,680
- Jacksonville$136,990
- Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville$170,850
Virginia metro areas
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$161,090
- Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk$132,870
- Richmond$162,910
- Charlottesville$144,580
California metro areas
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$218,420
- San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad$121,530
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$171,440
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$155,960
- Bakersfield-Delano$116,650
- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$112,050
- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$137,330
- Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$139,210
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: median annual wage, all workers in the job. Metro areas: the largest by employment.
What the work takes
Top skills
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge used
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Administration and Management
Work styles
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Innovation
- Attention to Detail
- Adaptability
- Achievement Orientation
People in this job tend to have Investigative (analytical), Conventional (organizing) interests.
O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0): skills and knowledge by importance; work styles; interest high points.
Computer and Information Research Scientists: questions
How much do computer and Information Research Scientists make?
Computer and Information Research Scientists earn a U.S. median $140,300 a year; the middle half earn $103,570 to $188,700 (BLS, May 2025). Workers ages 25-34 in this job earn a median $101,525 (Census ACS 2020-2024).
Is computer and Information Research Scientists a growing field?
BLS projects growth of 21.8% from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,900 openings a year, including replacements.
What degree do you need to be a computer and Information Research Scientist?
BLS lists the typical entry education as master's degree. In O*NET's survey, 92% of workers say a bachelor's or higher is required. Among workers ages 25-34 with a bachelor's, the most common field of degree is computer Science (39%).
How much do computer and Information Research Scientists make in Florida?
The median in Florida is $119,810 a year (BLS, May 2025), compared with $140,300 nationally.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35); O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); U.S. Census Bureau ACS microdata. SOC 15-1221. Method
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Cite this: “Computer and Information Research Scientists: salary, outlook and degrees,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/careers/computer-and-information-research-scientists.