Careers / Computer and Information Research Scientists
Computer and Information Research Scientists — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$140,300
United States, 2025
Employment
37,200
United States, 2025
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone 5
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
- O*NET code
- 15-1221.00
- Job zone
- 5
- Experience required
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Typical tasks
- Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
- Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
- Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Design computers and the software that runs them.
- Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
- Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.
- Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$82,200
25th percentile
$103,570
75th percentile
$188,700
90th percentile
$230,630
Most important skills
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.8
- Systems Analysis3.8
- Systems Evaluation3.6
- Programming3.6
- Speaking3.5
- Active Learning3.5
- Writing3.4
- Time Management3.4
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 21 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
21
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 | 4.6 | Not selected | 4.6 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.6 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 | 4.4 | Not selected | 4.4 |
| Active Learning | 3.5 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | 4.3 | Not selected | 4.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 | 4.5 | Not selected | 4.5 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.8 | 4.4 | Not selected | 4.4 |
| Programming | 3.6 | 4.5 | Not selected | 4.5 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.4 | 4.4 | Not selected | 4.4 |
| Speaking | 3.5 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Writing | 3.4 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Time Management | 3.4 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Technology Design | 3.1 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.0 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Science | 3.1 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Instructing | 3.0 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Computer and Information Research ScientistsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $218,420 | 2,210 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $211,270 | 1,620 | 2025 |
| OR | $206,220 | 730 | 2025 |
| Portland, OR | $206,220 | 660 | 2025 |
| Rochester, NY | $204,340 | 50 | 2025 |
| WA | $202,400 | 2,050 | 2025 |
| NY | $181,990 | 1,950 | 2025 |
| Albany, NY | $181,990 | 200 | 2025 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $171,880 | 70 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $171,440 | 1,670 | 2025 |
| New York, NY | $170,890 | 2,100 | 2025 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $170,850 | 60 | 2025 |
| MA | $170,510 | 1,760 | 2025 |
| Boston, MA | $170,510 | 1,620 | 2025 |
| Boulder, CO | $169,400 | 90 | 2025 |
| Atlanta, GA | $166,800 | 110 | 2025 |
| NM | $165,690 | 490 | 2025 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $165,690 | 220 | 2025 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $164,460 | 160 | 2025 |
| Richmond, VA | $162,910 | 160 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Computer and Information Research Scientists to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.