Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Rhode Island make a median of $121,470 a year, or about $58.4 an hour. The range runs from $91K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.77), that's roughly $119,357 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,544/month, or 21.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Rhode Island. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $121K get you in Rhode Island?
About computer and information research scientists
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What this looks like in Rhode Island
Pay for computer and information research scientists in Rhode Island runs about 13% below the U.S. median of $140K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,544/month, 20.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 101.77) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Rhode Island 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, Rhode Island
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $91K. Mid-career wages sit at $121K. Top earners bring in $171K or more, a $79K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary by metro in Rhode Island
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | $123K | +2% | 510 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rhode Island numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Rhode Island?
Yes — at the median salary of $121K, rent takes 20.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,544/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Rhode Island?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $91K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,474/month. At HUD’s $1,544/month FMR, rent would take 28% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer and information research scientist a high-paying job in Rhode Island?
Local pay runs 13% below the national median — $121K here vs. $140K nationally.
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Rhode Island pays $121K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s -13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 101.77), the purchasing-power equivalent is $119K — below the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Rhode Island?
The median is $121,470 a year, that works out to about $58 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $91,230, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $170,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $121K enough to live in Rhode Island?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,435/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,544/month, which eats 20.8% 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 Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a Regional Price Parity of 101.77 (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 $119,357 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.