California Median
$159,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$76.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $140,300
State Rank
#6 of 35
8,440 employed here
How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists make in California?
Computer and Information Research Scientists in California take home a median of $159,100 annually — roughly $76.49 an hour — which runs 13% above the national median of $140,300.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $88,920 while the top 10% make $275,320 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $112,170 and $213,630 a year.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,920 | $42.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $112,170 | $53.93 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $159,100 | $76.49 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $213,630 | $102.71 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $275,320 | $132.37 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 6th out of 35 states and territories for Computer and Information Research Scientists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in other states
Oregon $206,220Washington $202,400New York $181,990Massachusetts $170,510New Mexico $165,690Virginia $157,390Maryland $145,310District of Columbia $144,190New Jersey $140,840Illinois $136,540New Hampshire $136,160Minnesota $135,850Ohio $135,510Hawaii $134,350Nevada $134,310Colorado $133,160Connecticut $131,650Pennsylvania $130,300Arizona $129,760North Carolina $128,370Missouri $127,820South Carolina $126,980Rhode Island $121,470Texas $121,210Florida $119,810Alabama $117,870Louisiana $115,210Mississippi $109,050Tennessee $108,830Utah $94,700Oklahoma $93,100Georgia $92,250Indiana $85,460Michigan $82,590
Working as Computer and Information Research Scientists in California
Nationally, about 37,000 people work as Computer and Information Research Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($159,100) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists make in California?
The median Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in California is $159,100 per year, or about $76.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $88,920 at the entry level to $275,320 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Computer and Information Research Scientists about 13% more than the national median of $140,300. California ranks 6th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $159,100 a year. About 8,440 Computer and Information Research Scientists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Computer and Information Research Scientists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.