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Computer scientist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$140,300median pay per year, or $67.45 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $82,200lowest 10% earn less
  2. $103,57025th percentile
  3. $140,300median
  4. $188,70075th percentile
  5. $230,630top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Computer and information research scientists had a median pay of $140,300 a year in May 2025[1]. A master's degree is the typical entry level, and jobs are projected to grow 21.8% from 2025 to 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+21.8%[3]
Openings per year
2,900[6]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[2]

How much do computer scientists make?

The official BLS category is Computer and Information Research Scientists. In May 2025 the median wage was $140,300 a year, or $67.45 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $153,930 a year, or $74.00 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[5].

The range is wide:

Point Annual wage Source
10th percentile[4] $82,200
25th percentile[4] $103,570
Median[1] $140,300
75th percentile[4] $188,700
90th percentile[4] $230,630

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $82,200[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8]. The hourly figures run from $39.52 at the 10th percentile to $110.88 at the 90th[9].

These wages cover full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[10]. About 37,200 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Oregon had the highest median annual wage at $206,220, followed by Washington at $202,400 and New York at $181,990[12]. Massachusetts ($170,510) and New Mexico ($165,690) came next[12].

California had the most jobs at 8,440[13]. Virginia (3,590), Maryland (2,870), Washington (2,050) and Texas (1,960) followed[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $218,420[14]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($211,270) and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($206,220) came next[14]. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area had the most jobs, 3,420, with a median of $161,090[15].

Show median pay in 34 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Oregon[12]$206,220730
Washington$202,4002,050
New York$181,9901,950
Massachusetts$170,5101,760
New Mexico$165,690490
California$159,1008,440
Virginia$157,3903,590
Maryland$145,3102,870
District of Columbia$144,190330
New Jersey$140,8401,580
Illinois$136,540630
New Hampshire$136,16090
Minnesota$135,85030
Ohio$135,510280
Hawaii$134,35070
Nevada$134,31080
Colorado$133,160400
Connecticut$131,650n/a
Pennsylvania$130,300330
Arizona$129,760360
North Carolina$128,370600
Missouri$127,820230
South Carolina$126,980430
Rhode Island$121,470500
Texas$121,2101,960
Florida$119,8101,070
Alabama$117,870570
Louisiana$115,210140
Mississippi$109,050300
Tennessee$108,830n/a
Utah$94,7001,250
Oklahoma$93,100590
Georgia$92,250810
Indiana$85,460720
Michigan$82,590530

How to become a computer scientist

BLS lists a master's degree as the typical education for entry. No related work experience or on-the-job training is typical[2].

The federal government may hire people with a bachelor's degree for some jobs[17]. People who work in a specialized area may need knowledge of that area. For example, biomedical work may call for a background in biology[18].

BLS names several useful qualities: analytical thinking, clear communication, attention to detail, teamwork, logical thinking, advanced math and creative problem-solving[19][20][21][22][23][24][25].

What computer scientists do

O*NET describes the work as research into basic computer and information science, as a theorist, designer or inventor, and solving problems in hardware and software[26]. Typical tasks include:

They also write papers and present research at conferences[20]. Workers report job titles such as Research Scientist and Scientific Programmer Analyst[28].

Where they work

The federal government, not counting the postal service, was the largest employer in 2025, at 31% of jobs[29]. Some scientists work with engineers or other specialists in different places and do much of the work online[30]. Most work full time[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 21.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 38,600 to 47,000 jobs[3]. That is a change of 8,400 jobs[3]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[32]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].

BLS expects about 2,900 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.5% of workers leave the labor force and 3.3% move to a different occupation[33].

BLS says demand for solutions to complex computing problems and for new technologies, including artificial intelligence, supports this demand[34]. Some computer scientists move up to become computer and information systems managers[35].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is well above the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][5]. The path usually takes a master's degree, which means 2 to 3 years of study after a bachelor's[16]. Growth is projected at 21.8%, compared with 3.5% for all jobs[3][32]. The occupation is small, with about 37,200 wage and salary jobs[11]. The work involves research, math and explaining results to others[26][20][24].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a computer scientist make an hour?
The median was $67.45 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $74.00[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a computer scientist?
BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education[2]. Some federal jobs may accept a bachelor's[17].
How long does it take to become a computer scientist?
A master's degree usually takes 2 to 3 years after a bachelor's in a computer-related field[16].
Is computer scientist a growing job?
BLS projects 21.8% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][32].
What is the highest paying state for computer scientists?
Oregon, with a median of $206,220 a year in May 2025[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in the US was $140,300 per year and $67.45 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Computer and Information Research Scientists: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Computer and Information Research Scientists is projected to grow 21.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 38,600 to 47,000 jobs (a change of +8,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Computer and Information Research Scientists: 10th percentile $82,200, 25th percentile $103,570, 75th percentile $188,700, 90th percentile $230,630. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,900 openings for Computer and Information Research Scientists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists was $153,930 per year and $74.00 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Computer and Information Research Scientists: 10th percentile $39.52, 25th percentile $49.79, 75th percentile $90.72, 90th percentile $110.88. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 37,200 people were employed as Computer and Information Research Scientists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Computer and Information Research Scientists jobs: California 8,440; Virginia 3,590; Maryland 2,870; Washington 2,050; Texas 1,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $218,420; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $211,270; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $206,220; Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $181,990; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $171,440; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $170,890; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $170,510; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $166,800. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Computer and Information Research Scientists jobs: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 3,420 (median $161,090); San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 2,210 (median $218,420); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,100 (median $170,890); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 1,680 (median $121,530); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 1,670 (median $171,440); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 1,620 (median $170,510). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET description of Computer and Information Research Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Computer and Information Research Scientists. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET 15-1221.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Control System Computer Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientific Programmer Analyst. O*NET OnLine
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of computer and information research scientists in 2025: Federal government, excluding postal service 31%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Computer and Information Research Scientists: 1.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Computer and Information Research Scientists: Demand change - share increases as demand for solutions to complex computing challenges and for developing new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), will support an increased demand for computer and information research scientists. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.