Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in North Carolina
Computer and Information Research Scientists in North Carolina earn a median of $128,370 a year ($61.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,050 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $140,300. North Carolina ranks 21st of 35 states for computer and information research scientists pay. There are 0.12 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $136,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| 25th percentile | $108,010 | $51.93 |
| Median | $128,370 | $61.72 |
| 75th percentile | $162,910 | $78.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $182,050 | $87.52 |
| Average (mean) | $136,080 | $65.42 |
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 | $10,697.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,348.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,937.31 |
| Weekly | $2,468.65 |
| Hourly | $61.72 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $136,990 | 90 |
| 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.
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $134,710 | $64.76 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $106,850 | $51.37 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $104,850 | $50.41 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $95,230 | $45.78 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $100,390 | $48.27 |
| Information Security Analyst | $131,540 | $63.24 |
| Computer Network Architect | $127,320 | $61.21 |
| Computer Programmer | $81,070 | $38.98 |
| Database Architect | $134,630 | $64.73 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $97,990 | $47.11 |
| Web Developer | $96,610 | $46.45 |
| Database Administrator | $113,900 | $54.76 |
| Data Scientist | $119,090 | $57.25 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in North Carolina is $128,370 a year, or $61.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in North Carolina earn at least $182,050 a year. The top 25% earn $162,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,410 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $108,010 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in North Carolina?
About 600 computer and information research scientists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.