Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Virginia make a median of $157,390 a year, or about $75.67 an hour. The range runs from $96K at the entry level to $231K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $166,041 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 17.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $157K get you in Virginia?
About computer and information research scientists
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What this looks like in Virginia
Virginia sits well above the national pay line for computer and information research scientists, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $140K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,646/month, 18% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Virginia offers a genuinely strong financial position for computer and information research scientistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $96K. Mid-career wages sit at $157K. Top earners bring in $231K or more, a $134K spread from bottom to top.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary by metro in Virginia
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $163K | +4% | 160 |
| Charlottesville | $145K | -8% | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $133K | -16% | 460 |
Compare to other states
Track computer and information research scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $157K, rent takes 18% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $96K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,778/month. At HUD’s $1,646/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 Virginia?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $157K here vs. $140K nationally.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Virginia pays $157K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $166K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Virginia?
The median is $157,390 a year, that works out to about $76 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $96,300, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $230,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $157K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,150/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 18% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $166,041 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.