Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Pennsylvania make a median of $130,300 a year, or about $62.65 an hour. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $175K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $137,201 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 16.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $130K get you in Pennsylvania?
About computer and information research scientists
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Computer and information research scientists pay in Pennsylvania tracks closely to the national median, $130K locally vs. $140K nationwide, a 7% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,351/month, 16.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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, Pennsylvania
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $130K. Top earners bring in $175K or more, a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary by metro in Pennsylvania
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $130K | +0% | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $125K | -4% | 350 |
Compare to other states
Track computer and information research scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $130K, rent takes 16.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $83K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,000/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 27% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer and information research scientist a high-paying job in Pennsylvania?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $130K locally vs. $140K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Pennsylvania pays $130K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s -7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $137K — below the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $130,300 a year, that works out to about $63 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $83,330, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $175,480. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $130K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,984/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 16.9% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (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 $137,201 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.