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Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary - BLS OEWS Wage Benchmarks

SOC 15-1221 · National · May 2025 OEWS Data

Median Annual Salary
$140,296
$67.45/hr
Verified BLS OEWS data · Updated May 18, 2026
Source: BLS OEWS · Published May 15, 2026
Next refresh: May 2027
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The national median salary for Computer and Information Research Scientists is $140,296 per year ($67.45/hr) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025. The middle 50% of earners make between $103,563 and $188,698 annually. Top earners at the 90th percentile reach $230,630 per year. There are approximately 37,200 computer and information research scientists employed in the United States.

About This Role

BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018

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.

Career Outlook

BLS Employment Projections · 2024-2034
10-year growth
+19.7%
Much faster than average
Annual openings
3K
per year, on avg
Workforce today
40K
as of 2024
Why those openings exist
25% from new growth75% from people leaving the role
Mixed: openings come from both new growth and people exiting the role.
Typical entry requirements
Education
Master's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None

Industry Wage Breakdown

Top 5 industries by employment · median annual wage, sector-specific
IndustryWorkforce Median Pay
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
NAICS 999100
11K$124,870
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
NAICS 541500
6K$162,760
Scientific Research and Development Services
NAICS 541700
6K$142,740
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
NAICS 611300
3K$85,460
Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
NAICS 519200
1K$222,230
Wage range across top 5 industries: $85,460 to $222,230 (160% spread)

Wage Percentiles

Hourly & annualized (2,080 hours)
PercentileHourly RateAnnual Salary
P10$39.52$82,202
P25$49.79$103,563
P50MEDIAN$67.45$140,296
P75$90.72$188,698
P90$110.88$230,630

Market Context Signal

JOLTS · tech sector
Cooling
Openings Rate
2.8%
Quits Rate
1.1%

Information sector openings held flat at 81K in March, but layoffs jumped to 66K (+13K, rate 2.4%) -- the highest layoff rate among major sectors. Quit rates dropped to 1.1%. Tech employers retain maximum leverage; cuts continue in pockets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average computer and information research scientists salary?

The national median salary for Computer and Information Research Scientists is $140,296 per year ($67.45/hr) according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The middle 50% earn between $103,563 and $188,698 annually.

How much do top-earning computer and information research scientists make?

The 90th percentile salary for Computer and Information Research Scientists is $230,630 per year ($110.88/hr). The 75th percentile is $188,698 per year.

What is the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists?

Entry-level Computer and Information Research Scientists (10th percentile) earn approximately $82,202 per year ($39.52/hr). The 25th percentile is $103,563 per year.

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Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary by State

Top 5 states by employment
California8,440 workersVirginia3,590 workersMaryland2,870 workersWashington2,050 workersTexas1,960 workers

About This Data

Wage figures on this page come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release. OEWS surveys roughly 1.1 million establishments annually. It is the most comprehensive employer-reported wage dataset in the United States.

P10 through P90 percentiles represent the wage distribution across all surveyed employers (not self-reported by workers). Geographic adjustments use BLS-derived cost multipliers calibrated from regional wage variation.

Wages are estimates. Individual compensation depends on experience, education, employer size, industry, and negotiation. Use this as benchmark context, not absolute ground truth.

Next OEWS release: May 2027Verify on BLS.gov →

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