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Salary comparison

Computer and Information Research Scientists vs. Computer User Support Specialists: Who Earns More?

Computer and Information Research Scientistss out-earn Computer User Support Specialistss by $78K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Computer and Information Research Scientistss land at $140,300 and Computer User Support Specialistss at $61,860. The education gap is real: computer and information research scientist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while computer user support specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Computer and Information Research Scientistss is Oregon ($206,220); for Computer User Support Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($80,950).

Computer and Information Research Scientists
Computer User Support Specialists
Median salary
$140,300
$61,860
Hourly rate
$67.45/hr
$29.74/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$82,200
$40,980
Senior level (90th %)
$230,630
$100,540
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
37,200
717,190
Job growth (10-year)
19.7%
N/A
Category
Technology
Technology
Top-paying state
Oregon
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Computer and Information Research Scientists median pay.

State
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Computer User Support Specialists
Oregon
$206,220
$62,840
Washington
$202,400
$75,220
New York
$181,990
$72,560
Massachusetts
$170,510
$75,070
California
$159,100
$79,570
Virginia
$157,390
$65,040
Maryland
$145,310
$64,750
District of Columbia
$144,190
$80,950
New Jersey
$140,840
$64,470
Minnesota
$135,850
$63,630
Colorado
$133,160
$71,900
Connecticut
$131,650
$70,210
Arizona
$129,760
$61,410
Rhode Island
$121,470
$62,510
Utah
$94,700
$61,110

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Computer and Information Research Scientistss or Computer User Support Specialistss?

Computer and Information Research Scientistss earn more nationally. The median is $140,300 for Computer and Information Research Scientistss versus $61,860 for Computer User Support Specialistss, a difference of $78K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Computer and Information Research Scientists or Computer User Support Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Computer and Information Research Scientists or Computer User Support Specialists?

Computer and Information Research Scientists typically requires bachelor's degree. Computer User Support Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Computer and Information Research Scientistss get paid the most?

Oregon is the top-paying state for Computer and Information Research Scientistss at $206,220/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Computer and Information Research Scientists vs. Computer User Support Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Oregon, Computer and Information Research Scientistss earn $206,220 vs. $62,840 for Computer User Support Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Computer and Information Research Scientists salary breakdownView →Full Computer User Support Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Computer and Information Research Scientistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Computer User Support Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a computer and information research scientistsGuide →How to become a computer user support specialistsGuide →