Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $211,270 a year, or about $101.57 an hour. The range runs from $103K at the entry level to $286K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $190,111 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,501/month, or 18.8% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $211K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s Regional Price Parity (111.13). 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue sits well above the national pay line for computer and information research scientists, local pay runs about 51% higher than the U.S. median of $140K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,501/month, 19.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 11% above the national average (BEA RPP 111.13), so groceries and services cost more too. Combined with manageable housing costs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $110K | $104K |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $206K | $196K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $103K. Mid-career wages sit at $211K. Top earners bring in $286K or more, a $183K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Yes — at the median salary of $211K, rent takes 19.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,501/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $103K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,209/month. At HUD’s $2,501/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Local pay is 51% above the national median — $211K here vs. $140K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 11% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue pays $211K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s +51%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 111.13), the purchasing-power equivalent is $190K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $211,270 a year, that works out to about $102 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $103,480, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $286,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $211K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $13,103/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month, which eats 19.1% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $190,111 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.