Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ make a median of $164,460 a year, or about $79.07 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $409K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.32), that's roughly $159,175 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,839/month, or 18% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $164K get you in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler’s Regional Price Parity (103.32). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About computer and information research scientists
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What this looks like in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler sits well above the national pay line for computer and information research scientists, local pay runs about 17% higher than the U.S. median of $140K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,839/month, 18.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 103.32) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler offers a genuinely strong financial position for computer and information research scientistss at the median.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for computer and information research scientists in metros near Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson | $80K | $82K |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $218K | $198K |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $122K | $109K |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $171K | $148K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $164K. Top earners bring in $409K or more, a $347K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $206K | +47% | 730 |
| Washington | $202K | +44% | 2,050 |
| New York | $182K | +30% | 1,950 |
| Massachusetts | $171K | +22% | 1,760 |
| New Mexico | $166K | +18% | 490 |
| California | $159K | +13% | 8,440 |
| Virginia | $157K | +12% | 3,590 |
| Maryland | $145K | +4% | 2,870 |
| District of Columbia | $144K | +3% | 330 |
| New Jersey | $141K | +0% | 1,580 |
| Illinois | $137K | -3% | 630 |
| New Hampshire | $136K | -3% | 90 |
| Minnesota | $136K | -3% | 30 |
| Ohio | $136K | -3% | 280 |
| Hawaii | $134K | -4% | 70 |
| Nevada | $134K | -4% | 80 |
| Colorado | $133K | -5% | 400 |
| Connecticut | $132K | -6% | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $130K | -7% | 330 |
| Arizona | $130K | -8% | 360 |
| North Carolina | $128K | -9% | 600 |
| Missouri | $128K | -9% | 230 |
| South Carolina | $127K | -9% | 430 |
| Rhode Island | $121K | -13% | 500 |
| Texas | $121K | -14% | 1,960 |
| Florida | $120K | -15% | 1,070 |
| Alabama | $118K | -16% | 570 |
| Louisiana | $115K | -18% | 140 |
| Mississippi | $109K | -22% | 300 |
| Tennessee | $109K | -22% | N/A |
| Utah | $95K | -33% | 1,250 |
| Oklahoma | $93K | -34% | 590 |
| Georgia | $92K | -34% | 810 |
| Indiana | $85K | -39% | 720 |
| Michigan | $83K | -41% | 530 |
Showing 1–10 of 35 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track computer and information research scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Yes — at the median salary of $164K, rent takes 18.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,839/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,772/month. At HUD’s $1,839/month FMR, rent would take 49% 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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Local pay is 17% above the national median — $164K here vs. $140K nationally.
How does Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler pays $164K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s +17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.32), the purchasing-power equivalent is $159K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median is $164,460 a year, that works out to about $79 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,870, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $409,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $164K enough to live in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,921/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,839/month, which eats 18.5% 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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler?
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler has a Regional Price Parity of 103.32 (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 $159,175 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.