Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Alabama make a median of $117,870 a year, or about $56.67 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.36), which stretches that salary to about $133,397 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,085/month, or 14.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alabama. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $118K get you in Alabama?
About computer and information research scientists
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What this looks like in Alabama
Pay for computer and information research scientists in Alabama runs about 16% below the U.S. median of $140K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,085/month, 15.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.36 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Alabama can be a reasonable trade-off for computer and information research scientistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alabama
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K. Top earners bring in $174K or more, a $111K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary by metro in Alabama
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | $122K | +4% | N/A |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alabama numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alabama?
Yes — at the median salary of $118K, rent takes 15.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,085/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Alabama?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,797/month. At HUD’s $1,085/month FMR, rent would take 29% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer and information research scientist a high-paying job in Alabama?
Local pay runs 16% below the national median — $118K here vs. $140K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Alabama compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Alabama pays $118K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s -16%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.36), the purchasing-power equivalent is $133K — below the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Alabama?
The median is $117,870 a year, that works out to about $57 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,290, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $174,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in Alabama?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,132/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,085/month, which eats 15.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer and information research scientists salary go in Alabama?
Alabama has a Regional Price Parity of 88.36 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer and information research scientists salary is worth about $133,397 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer and information research scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.