Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in Washington
Computer and Information Research Scientists in Washington earn a median of $202,400 a year ($97.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $281,050 for the top 10%. That is 44% higher than the national median of $140,300. Washington ranks 2nd of 35 states for computer and information research scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.58 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $194,360, close to the median.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,890 | $46.10 |
| 25th percentile | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Median | $202,400 | $97.31 |
| 75th percentile | $234,150 | $112.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $281,050 | $135.12 |
| Average (mean) | $194,360 | $93.44 |
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 | $16,866.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,433.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,784.62 |
| Weekly | $3,892.31 |
| Hourly | $97.31 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $211,270 | 1,620 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $206,220 | 660 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $109,550 | 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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $166,540 | $80.07 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $129,410 | $62.22 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $75,220 | $36.17 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $128,940 | $61.99 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $130,480 | $62.73 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $103,910 | $49.96 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $128,480 | $61.77 |
| Information Security Analyst | $154,940 | $74.49 |
| Computer Network Architect | $168,070 | $80.81 |
| Web Developer | $130,440 | $62.71 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $101,750 | $48.92 |
| Database Architect | $128,760 | $61.90 |
| Computer Programmer | $125,620 | $60.39 |
| Database Administrator | $118,140 | $56.80 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in Washington is $202,400 a year, or $97.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $281,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in Washington?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in Washington earn at least $281,050 a year. The top 25% earn $234,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,890 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $132,240 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in Washington?
About 2,050 computer and information research scientists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.