Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $136,990 a year ($65.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $231,160 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $140,300. Pay here is 7% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $128,370. There are 0.26 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $151,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| 25th percentile | $105,450 | $50.70 |
| Median | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| 75th percentile | $189,080 | $90.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $231,160 | $111.13 |
| Average (mean) | $151,500 | $72.84 |
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 | $11,415.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,707.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,268.85 |
| Weekly | $2,634.42 |
| Hourly | $65.86 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $132,870 | 460 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $128,370 | 280 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,630 | 110 |
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 or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $135,620 | $65.20 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $106,410 | $51.16 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $110,640 | $53.19 |
| Computer Network Architect | $144,990 | $69.71 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $122,980 | $59.13 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,670 | $62.34 |
| Database Architect | $141,770 | $68.16 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $133,340 | $64.11 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $81,090 | $38.99 |
| Computer Programmer | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Database Administrator | $117,950 | $56.71 |
| Web Developer | $96,880 | $46.58 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $136,990 a year, or $65.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $231,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $231,160 a year. The top 25% earn $189,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,630 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $105,450 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 90 computer and information research scientists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.