Computer and Information Research Scientists Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $161,090 a year, or about $77.45 an hour. The range runs from $103K at the entry level to $224K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $147,952 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 23.6% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $161K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria sits well above the national pay line for computer and information research scientists, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $140K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,246/month, 24.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $157K | $150K |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $133K | $136K |
| Lexington Park | $137K | $136K |
| Richmond | $163K | $166K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level computer and information research scientists (10th percentile) start around $103K. Mid-career wages sit at $161K. Top earners bring in $224K or more, a $120K 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer and information research scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Yes — at the median salary of $161K, rent takes 24.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,246/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer and information research scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer and information research scientists typically earn — is $103K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,206/month. At HUD’s $2,246/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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $161K here vs. $140K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average for computer and information research scientists?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pays $161K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $148K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $161,090 a year, that works out to about $77 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $103,440, and experienced computer and information research scientists can clear $223,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $161K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,167/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 24.5% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $147,952 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.