Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in Virginia
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Virginia earn a median of $157,390 a year ($75.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $230,630 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $140,300. Virginia ranks 7th of 35 states for computer and information research scientists pay. There are 0.87 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $164,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| 25th percentile | $124,780 | $59.99 |
| Median | $157,390 | $75.67 |
| 75th percentile | $207,480 | $99.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $230,630 | $110.88 |
| Average (mean) | $164,260 | $78.97 |
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 | $13,115.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,557.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,053.46 |
| Weekly | $3,026.73 |
| Hourly | $75.67 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $162,910 | 160 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $161,090 | 3,420 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $144,580 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $132,870 | 460 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $136,460 | $65.61 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $120,840 | $58.09 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $65,040 | $31.27 |
| Information Security Analyst | $134,900 | $64.86 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $139,030 | $66.84 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $109,610 | $52.70 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $121,590 | $58.46 |
| Computer Network Architect | $141,340 | $67.95 |
| Database Administrator | $93,320 | $44.86 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,760 | $36.90 |
| Database Architect | $160,360 | $77.09 |
| Web Developer | $128,380 | $61.72 |
| Computer Programmer | $121,610 | $58.47 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $77,140 | $37.09 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in Virginia is $157,390 a year, or $75.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $230,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in Virginia earn at least $230,630 a year. The top 25% earn $207,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,300 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $124,780 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in Virginia?
About 3,590 computer and information research scientists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.