Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Computer and information research scientists (SOC 15-1221) employed 37,200 people in May 2025. The median pay is $140,300 a year ($67.45 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,200 and the highest-paid 10% more than $230,630. BLS projects its employment to change by +21.8% between 2025 and 2035 (about 2,900 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Master's degree.
Highest median pay: Oregon ($206,220), Washington ($202,400), New York ($181,990). Most jobs: California (8,440), Virginia (3,590), Maryland (2,870).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| 25th percentile | $103,570 | $49.79 |
| Median | $140,300 | $67.45 |
| Mean | $153,930 | $74.00 |
| 75th percentile | $188,700 | $90.72 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $230,630 | $110.88 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 38,600 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 47,000 |
| Change in jobs | 8,400 |
| Percent change | +21.8% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 2,900 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 570 | 1.13 | $117,870 | $63,290 | $174,030 | -16% | 11% |
| Arizona | 360 | 0.46 | $129,760 | $62,870 | $386,290 | -8% | 15% |
| California | 8,440 | 1.94 | $159,100 | $88,920 | $275,320 | +13% | 16% |
| Colorado | 400 | 0.59 | $133,160 | $84,660 | $215,090 | -5% | 16% |
| District of Columbia | 330 | 1.97 | $144,190 | $100,010 | $196,640 | +3% | 16% |
| Florida | 1,070 | 0.45 | $119,810 | $73,780 | $194,840 | -15% | 18% |
| Georgia | 810 | 0.69 | $92,250 | $73,780 | $153,630 | -34% | 20% |
| Hawaii | 70 | 0.46 | $134,350 | $90,960 | $165,690 | -4% | 17% |
| Idaho | 70 | 0.35 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | 630 | 0.43 | $136,540 | $49,190 | $243,360 | -3% | 12% |
| Indiana | 720 | 0.94 | $85,460 | $65,820 | $134,490 | -39% | 16% |
| Louisiana | 140 | 0.30 | $115,210 | $80,250 | $161,120 | -18% | 11% |
| Maryland | 2,870 | 4.33 | $145,310 | $98,380 | $195,190 | +4% | 14% |
| Massachusetts | 1,760 | 2.03 | $170,510 | $77,160 | $233,340 | +22% | 13% |
| Michigan | 530 | 0.50 | $82,590 | $66,700 | $159,500 | -41% | 17% |
| Minnesota | 30 | 0.05 | $135,850 | $83,920 | $174,740 | -3% | 11% |
| Mississippi | 300 | 1.07 | $109,050 | $69,220 | $161,890 | -22% | 11% |
| Missouri | 230 | 0.33 | $127,820 | $73,630 | $200,010 | -9% | 10% |
| Nevada | 80 | 0.22 | $134,310 | $85,940 | $190,400 | -4% | 15% |
| New Hampshire | 90 | 0.57 | $136,160 | $90,760 | $246,160 | -3% | 14% |
| New Jersey | 1,580 | 1.54 | $140,840 | $85,780 | $209,850 | +0% | 15% |
| New Mexico | 490 | 2.36 | $165,690 | $101,210 | $257,950 | +18% | 8% |
| New York | 1,950 | 0.84 | $181,990 | $95,260 | $314,130 | +30% | 11% |
| North Carolina | 600 | 0.50 | $128,370 | $82,410 | $182,050 | -9% | 13% |
| Ohio | 280 | 0.21 | $135,510 | $44,920 | $173,510 | -3% | 10% |
| Oklahoma | 590 | 1.44 | $93,100 | $71,930 | $136,340 | -34% | 13% |
| Oregon | 730 | 1.54 | $206,220 | $117,570 | $351,690 | +47% | 9% |
| Pennsylvania | 330 | 0.23 | $130,300 | $83,330 | $175,480 | -7% | 12% |
| Rhode Island | 500 | 4.20 | $121,470 | $91,230 | $170,680 | -13% | 14% |
| South Carolina | 430 | 0.78 | $126,980 | $84,200 | $161,180 | -9% | 12% |
| Texas | 1,960 | 0.58 | $121,210 | $65,480 | $204,250 | -14% | 15% |
| Utah | 1,250 | 3.00 | $94,700 | $72,990 | $169,890 | -33% | 20% |
| Virginia | 3,590 | 3.65 | $157,390 | $96,300 | $230,630 | +12% | 13% |
| Washington | 2,050 | 2.41 | $202,400 | $95,890 | $281,050 | +44% | 11% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,210 | $218,420 | $133,270 | $310,190 | 8.14 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,620 | $211,270 | $103,480 | $286,400 | 3.24 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 660 | $206,220 | $131,020 | $351,690 | 2.29 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,670 | $171,440 | $96,440 | $281,020 | 2.94 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,100 | $170,890 | $94,550 | $314,130 | 0.93 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 1,620 | $170,510 | $77,160 | $249,910 | 2.50 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 3,420 | $161,090 | $103,440 | $223,800 | 4.56 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 1,070 | $156,750 | $101,400 | $197,050 | 3.28 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 940 | $155,960 | $81,450 | $227,300 | 0.63 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 360 | $136,660 | $92,120 | $185,220 | 21.36 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 490 | $135,630 | $49,190 | $243,360 | 0.45 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 380 | $134,050 | $69,840 | $199,830 | 0.48 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 460 | $132,870 | $87,340 | $181,400 | 2.54 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 300 | $127,360 | $80,250 | $213,760 | 0.96 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 400 | $126,860 | $84,200 | $158,370 | 4.22 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 350 | $125,320 | $79,160 | $175,420 | 0.50 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 510 | $123,390 | $91,230 | $174,630 | 3.01 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,680 | $121,530 | $82,220 | $195,190 | 4.56 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 490 | $116,650 | $87,760 | $159,700 | 6.04 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 350 | $112,050 | $86,610 | $159,700 | 4.49 |
| Ogden, UT | 810 | $96,740 | $79,160 | $136,990 | 12.55 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 560 | $93,100 | $71,930 | $135,890 | 3.44 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 650 | $89,500 | $73,780 | $127,820 | 35.72 |
The median is $140,300 a year ($67.45 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $82,200 and the highest-paid tenth over $230,630 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
37,200 in May 2025, and BLS projects +21.8% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Master's degree (BLS).
Oregon, with a median of $206,220 (among states with published figures).