Computer and Information Research Scientists
SOC 15-1221 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists is $145,080, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $157,160, and an estimated 35,210 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +14.4% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -2.8% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 19.7% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $145,080 | $145,080 | 35,210 |
| 2022 | $136,620 | $142,244 | 33,780 |
| 2021 | $131,490 | $147,859 | 30,840 |
| 2020 | $126,830 | $149,319 | 30,220 |
Nominal change
+14.4%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-2.8%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+19.7%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
40,300
Projected 2034
48,300
Annual Openings
3,200
Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Computer and Information Research Scientists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $145,080. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $218,180 | +50.4% | 2,940 |
| California | $175,530 | +21% | 7,560 |
| New Mexico | $172,190 | +18.7% | — |
| Massachusetts | $170,020 | +17.2% | — |
| West Virginia | $167,480 | +15.4% | 50 |
| Idaho | $163,660 | +12.8% | — |
| Oregon | $160,140 | +10.4% | 790 |
| New York | $151,470 | +4.4% | 740 |
| Wisconsin | $150,700 | +3.9% | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $145,780 | +0.5% | 300 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$81,450
25th Pct
$109,990
Median
$145,080
75th Pct
$185,160
90th Pct
$233,110
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC | WA | 53 | $179,100 |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | CA | 43 | $195,998 |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | WA | 20 | $173,863 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC | CA | 13 | $186,706 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MA | 10 | $107,474 |
| NVIDIA Corporation | CA | 10 | $209,486 |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | NY | 9 | $183,353 |
| Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence | WA | 8 | $210,000 |
| META PLATFORMS, INC. | PA | 7 | $189,140 |
| IBM Corporation | NY | 6 | $200,003 |
| UChicago Argonne LLC | IL | 6 | $138,174 |
| BYTEDANCE INC. | WA | 6 | $236,000 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC | NY | 6 | $197,900 |
| UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) | TN | 6 | $124,521 |
| TuSimple, Inc. | CA | 5 | $163,720 |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. | NY | 5 | $170,000 |
| Apple Inc. | CA | 5 | $210,430 |
| Google LLC | CA | 5 | $187,000 |
| University of Michigan | MI | 5 | $70,000 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC | MA | 4 | $180,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
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