Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in California make a median of $159,100 a year, or about $76.49 an hour. The range runs from $89K at the entry level to $275K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $149,896 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,471/month, or 26.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $159K get you in California?
About computer and information research scientists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for computer and information research scientists, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $140K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $89K. Mid-career wages sit at $159K. Top earners bring in $275K or more, a $186K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary by metro in California
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $218K | +37% | 2,210 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $172K | +8% | 70 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $171K | +8% | 1,670 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $156K | -2% | 940 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $139K | -13% | 140 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $137K | -14% | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $122K | -24% | 1,680 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $117K | -27% | 490 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $112K | -30% | 350 |
Compare to other states
Track computer and information research scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
Yes — at the median salary of $159K, rent takes 27.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $89K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,335/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer and information research scientist a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $159K here vs. $140K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
California pays $159K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $150K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in California?
The median is $159,100 a year, that works out to about $76 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $88,920, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $275,320. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $159K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,047/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 27.3% 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 California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer and information research scientists salary is worth about $149,896 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.