Computer and Information Research Scientists pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $82,220 a year or less, while the top 10% make $195,190 or more. The middle half of computer and information research scientists in San Diego earn between $96,180 and $156,480.
- $82K10th
- $96K25th
- $122KMedian
- $156K75th
- $195K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $132,100 | $11,008 | $63.51 |
| Median | $121,530 | $10,128 | $58.43 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $96,180 | $8,015 | $46.24 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $156,480 | $13,040 | $75.23 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Computer and Information Research Scientists pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Computer and information research scientists in San Diego earn 22% less than the California average ($168,580) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($153,930). At the median the gap is -13% against the U.S. median of $140,300.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $132,100 | $121,530 | $82,220 | $195,190 | 1,680 |
| California | $168,580 | $159,100 | $88,920 | $275,320 | 8,440 |
| United States | $153,930 | $140,300 | $82,200 | $230,630 | 37,200 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $132,100, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $93,363 a year, or $7,780 a month and $3,591 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for computer and information research scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $132,100 buys what about $118,066 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.1 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 7.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 7th of 9 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($216,560).
- San Jose$216,560
- San Francisco$175,510
- Santa Maria$173,060
- Sacramento$163,410
- Los Angeles$159,710
- Riverside$139,320
- San Diego$132,100
- Bakersfield$122,720
- Oxnard$119,940
All Computer and Information Research Scientists salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for computer and information research scientists
Portland, OR pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($223,160).
- Portland, OR$223,160
- San Jose, CA$216,560
- Seattle, WA$203,260
- Phoenix, AZ$195,400
- New York, NY$194,390
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Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in San Diego: questions
How much do computer and information research scientists make an hour in San Diego?
$63.51 an hour on average, and $58.43 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level computer and information research scientists salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $82,220 a year and the 25th percentile is $96,180, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the computer and information research scientists take-home pay in San Diego?
About $93,363 a year ($7,780 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $132,100. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do computer and information research scientists earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($153,930).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 15-1221; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 4.56, this job is 4.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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