Computer and Information Research Scientists pay range in San Francisco
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $96,440 a year or less, while the top 10% make $281,020 or more. The middle half of computer and information research scientists in San Francisco earn between $108,670 and $219,630.
- $96K10th
- $109K25th
- $171KMedian
- $220K75th
- $281K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $175,510 | $14,626 | $84.38 |
| Median | $171,440 | $14,287 | $82.42 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $108,670 | $9,056 | $52.25 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $219,630 | $18,302 | $105.59 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Computer and Information Research Scientists pay in San Francisco vs. California and the U.S.
Computer and information research scientists in San Francisco earn 4% more than the California average ($168,580) and 14% more than the U.S. average ($153,930). At the median the gap is +22% against the U.S. median of $140,300.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $175,510 | $171,440 | $96,440 | $281,020 | 1,670 |
| 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 Francisco
On the average salary of $175,510, a single filer in San Francisco takes home about $118,997 a year, or $9,916 a month and $4,577 every two weeks. Taxes take 32% 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 Francisco a good place for computer and information research scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Francisco area are 16% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 115.6), so the average $175,510 buys what about $151,808 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.3 times the median wage of all jobs in San Francisco ($74,260). A typical home costs $1,149,215, or 6.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in other California cities
San Francisco ranks 2nd 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 Francisco: questions
How much do computer and information research scientists make an hour in San Francisco?
$84.38 an hour on average, and $82.43 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level computer and information research scientists salary in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $96,440 a year and the 25th percentile is $108,670, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the computer and information research scientists take-home pay in San Francisco?
About $118,997 a year ($9,916 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $175,510. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do computer and information research scientists earn more in San Francisco than elsewhere?
The average here is 14% more 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (41860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.3%.
- 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 2.94, this job is 2.9 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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