Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in California
Computer and Information Research Scientists in California earn a median of $159,100 a year ($76.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $275,320 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $140,300. California ranks 6th of 35 states for computer and information research scientists pay. There are 0.46 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $168,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,920 | $42.75 |
| 25th percentile | $112,170 | $53.93 |
| Median | $159,100 | $76.49 |
| 75th percentile | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $275,320 | $132.36 |
| Average (mean) | $168,580 | $81.05 |
Half of computer and information research scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,258.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,629.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,119.23 |
| Weekly | $3,059.62 |
| Hourly | $76.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $218,420 | 2,210 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $171,880 | 70 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $171,440 | 1,670 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $155,960 | 940 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $139,210 | 140 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $137,330 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $121,530 | 1,680 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $116,650 | 490 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $112,050 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for computer and information research scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $206,220 |
| Washington | $202,400 |
| New York | $181,990 |
| Massachusetts | $170,510 |
| New Mexico | $165,690 |
| California | $159,100 |
| Virginia | $157,390 |
| Maryland | $145,310 |
| District of Columbia | $144,190 |
| New Jersey | $140,840 |
See Computer and Information Research Scientists pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $174,410 | $83.85 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,720 | $61.40 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $128,740 | $61.89 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $136,110 | $65.44 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,570 | $66.62 |
| Computer Network Architect | $158,870 | $76.38 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Computer Programmer | $116,760 | $56.13 |
| Web Developer | $119,570 | $57.48 |
| Database Administrator | $113,060 | $54.35 |
| Database Architect | $170,160 | $81.81 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1221. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer and information research scientists make in California?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in California is $159,100 a year, or $76.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $275,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in California?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in California earn at least $275,320 a year. The top 25% earn $213,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,920 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $112,170 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in California?
About 8,440 computer and information research scientists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.