Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary in California
Computer and Information Research Scientists in California earn a median annual wage of $159,100 —13.4% above the national median of $140,300. That ranks CA #6 of 35 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.94× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for computer and information research scientists
All 35 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $206,220 | $99.15 | 730 | 1.54 |
| 2 | Washington | $202,400 | $97.31 | 2,050 | 2.41 |
| 3 | New York | $181,990 | $87.50 | 1,950 | 0.84 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $170,510 | $81.97 | 1,760 | 2.03 |
| 5 | New Mexico | $165,690 | $79.66 | 490 | 2.36 |
| 6 | California | $159,100 | $76.49 | 8,440 | 1.94 |
| 7 | Virginia | $157,390 | $75.67 | 3,590 | 3.65 |
| 8 | Maryland | $145,310 | $69.86 | 2,870 | 4.33 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $144,190 | $69.32 | 330 | 1.97 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $140,840 | $67.71 | 1,580 | 1.54 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $174,410 | $135,980 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | $79,570 | $61,860 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $127,720 | $105,850 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $134,440 | $116,580 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $106,440 | $99,130 |
| Data Scientists | $141,590 | $120,230 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do computer and information research scientists make in California?
The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists in California is $159,100, or $76.49 per hour. That is 13.4% above the national median of $140,300.
What is the entry-level computer and information research scientists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $88,920 per year ($42.75/hour). The 25th percentile is $112,170.
How many people work as computer and information research scientists in California?
About 8,440 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for computer and information research scientists?
California ranks #6 of 35 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.94x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays computer and information research scientists the most?
Oregon has the highest median wage at $206,220 per year, followed by Washington ($202,400) and New York ($181,990).