Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Missouri make a median of $127,820 a year, or about $61.45 an hour. The range runs from $74K at the entry level to $200K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $143,666 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 14.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $128K get you in Missouri?
About computer and information research scientists
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What this looks like in Missouri
Computer and information research scientists pay in Missouri tracks closely to the national median, $128K locally vs. $140K nationwide, a 9% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 14.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $74K. Mid-career wages sit at $128K. Top earners bring in $200K or more, a $126K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary by metro in Missouri
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $143K | +12% | 100 |
| Kansas City | $105K | -18% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track computer and information research scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $128K, rent takes 14.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $74K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,418/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 25% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer and information research scientist a high-paying job in Missouri?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $128K locally vs. $140K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Missouri pays $128K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s -9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $144K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Missouri?
The median is $127,820 a year, that works out to about $61 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,630, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $200,010. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $128K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,733/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 14.2% 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 Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (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 $143,666 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.