Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Master's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Computer and information research scientists focus on advanced work in computing and information technology, supported by strong analytical, mathematical, and scientific abilities. This career emphasizes computers and information technology, critical and analytical thinking, and problem solving and decision making, combined with creativity and innovation. Professionals in this field typically work with complex concepts that draw on mathematics, science, and project management while also relying on strong writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills. Nationally, employment stands at 40,000, with projected growth of 19.7% and about 3,000 annual openings, indicating expanding opportunities for qualified candidates. The national median annual salary is $140,910, and several states and metro areas offer even higher median pay. A master’s degree is the typical education level for this occupation, aligning with the advanced technical and analytical skill set required. This combination of specialized education, strong core skills, and positive employment indicators makes it an appealing option for students and professionals considering highly technical careers.
Computer and information research scientists earn a national median annual salary of $140,910. Several states offer higher median salaries, including Washington at $202,400, New York at $181,990, Massachusetts at $170,510, and California at $159,100. Among top metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with a median salary of $218,420, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ report median salaries of $171,440 and $170,890, respectively. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has a median salary of $161,090, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH matches Massachusetts overall at $170,510. These figures show meaningful geographic variation in earnings, with certain metros and states offering substantially higher pay than the national median. For individuals prepared to pursue the master’s degree typically required in this field, the salary data points to strong earning potential, especially in select high-opportunity regions.
Employment for computer and information research scientists is 40,000 nationally, with projected employment growth of 19.7%. This projected growth, combined with about 3,000 annual openings, suggests an expanding field with ongoing demand for new entrants as well as replacement of existing workers. The consistent 19.7% growth rate reported across top states and metro areas indicates that this positive outlook is not limited to a single region. Instead, it is reflected in major states such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington, and in large metro areas including San Jose, New York-Newark-Jersey City, San Francisco, Washington DC region, and Boston. For students and career changers, these indicators mean that investing in the skills and education associated with this occupation can align with a labor market showing clear signs of expansion over the projection period.
Location can significantly shape opportunities for computer and information research scientists. Among states, California has the highest employment at 8,440 with a median salary of $159,100 and an opportunity score of 67.38, making it a major center by job count. Washington offers the highest listed state median salary at $202,400 with 2,050 employed and an opportunity score of 56.29. New York and Massachusetts combine strong salaries—$181,990 and $170,510—with opportunity scores above 65, while Colorado shows a median salary of $133,160 and a solid opportunity score of 56.97. Metro-level data highlights particularly strong concentrations. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA leads with an opportunity score of 77.42, median salary of $218,420, and employment of 2,210. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 2,100. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, the Washington DC regional metro, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also combine relatively high salaries, thousands of jobs, and strong opportunity scores, making them key areas to consider.
Computer and information research scientists typically need a master’s degree. This advanced education requirement aligns with the occupation’s emphasis on complex technical and analytical work. Success in this career draws on a broad set of high-level skills. Core strengths include computers and information technology, mathematics, and science, which support work with advanced computing concepts. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, are also central, reflecting the need to evaluate information and make sound judgments. Creativity and innovation are highlighted, indicating that generating new ideas and approaches is important. Project management skills help professionals organize work and coordinate efforts, while strong writing and reading abilities support documentation and analysis. Speaking and listening are important for communicating ideas and collaborating. Mechanical skills also appear in the key skill set, showing that some aspects of the work may connect to understanding physical systems. Together, the typical master’s degree and these skills define the core preparation profile for entering and growing in this field.
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