Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Tennessee make a median of $108,830 a year, or about $52.32 an hour. The range runs from $83K at the entry level to $175K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $121,219 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 16.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $109K get you in Tennessee?
About computer and information research scientists
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Pay for computer and information research scientists in Tennessee runs about 22% below the U.S. median of $140K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,215/month, 17.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Tennessee 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, Tennessee
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $83K. Mid-career wages sit at $109K. Top earners bring in $175K or more, a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary by metro in Tennessee
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $111K | +2% | N/A |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $109K, rent takes 17.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $83K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,965/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 24% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer and information research scientist a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Local pay runs 22% below the national median — $109K here vs. $140K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Tennessee pays $109K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s -22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $121K — below the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Tennessee?
The median is $108,830 a year, that works out to about $52 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $82,750, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $174,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $109K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,079/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 17.2% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (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 $121,219 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.