Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Texas make a median of $121,210 a year, or about $58.27 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $204K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.49), which stretches that salary to about $132,484 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,415/month, or 18.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $121K get you in Texas?
About computer and information research scientists
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What this looks like in Texas
Pay for computer and information research scientists in Texas runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $140K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,415/month, 18.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.49 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Texas 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, Texas
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $121K. Top earners bring in $204K or more, a $139K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary by metro in Texas
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $134K | +11% | 380 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $127K | +5% | 300 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $94K | -22% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track computer and information research scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Texas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Texas?
Yes — at the median salary of $121K, rent takes 18.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,415/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Texas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,929/month. At HUD’s $1,415/month FMR, rent would take 36% 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 Texas?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $121K here vs. $140K nationally. Cost of living is 9% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Texas compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Texas pays $121K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $132K — below the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Texas?
The median is $121,210 a year, that works out to about $58 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,480, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $204,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $121K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,800/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 18.1% 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 Texas?
Texas has a Regional Price Parity of 91.49 (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 $132,484 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.