Computer and Information Research Scientists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$88,920
- 25th Percentile — Junior$112,170
- 50th Percentile — Median$159,100
- 75th Percentile — Senior$213,630
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$275,320
Half of Computer and Information Research Scientists in California earn more than $159,100. The top 10% make $275,320 or more, while entry-level workers start around $88,920.
Computer and Information Research Scientists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 6th of 35 states for Computer and Information Research Scientists pay, at $168,580 per year (9.5% above the U.S. average of $153,930).
- 8,440 people work as Computer and Information Research Scientists in California — 22.7% of all U.S. Computer and Information Research Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.94: Computer and Information Research Scientists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $88,920; the top 10% earn over $275,320.
- Hourly equivalent: $81.05 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Oregon at $215,420.
- Among technology jobs in California, Software Developers pays the most ($186,770).
Computer and Information Research Scientists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Computer and Information Research Scientists here earn $168,580 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $168,580 is roughly equivalent to $118,718 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($203,370), Washington ($194,360), New Mexico ($173,530) are the closest alternatives for Computer and Information Research Scientists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Technology Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Software Developers $186,770/yr California +10.8% vs this role
- Computer Network Architects $161,350/yr California 4.3% vs this role
- Data Scientists $156,000/yr California 7.5% vs this role
- Information Security Analysts $149,090/yr California 11.6% vs this role
- Web and Digital Interface Designers $146,210/yr California 13.3% vs this role
- Statisticians $140,780/yr California 16.5% vs this role
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts $131,260/yr California 22.1% vs this role
- Computer Systems Analysts $130,480/yr California 22.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in California?
The average Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in California is $168,580 per year (median $159,100), which is 9.5% above the national average of $153,930.
How does California rank for Computer and Information Research Scientists pay?
California ranks 6th out of 35 states. The highest-paying state is Oregon ($215,420/yr).
How much do entry-level Computer and Information Research Scientists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Computer and Information Research Scientists in California earn about $88,920 per year and the 25th percentile is $112,170.
How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists make per hour in California?
About $81.05 per hour, based on the $168,580 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Computer and Information Research Scientists work in California?
BLS counts 8,440 Computer and Information Research Scientists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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