Computer and Information Research Scientists pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $103,440 a year or less, while the top 10% make $223,800 or more. The middle half of computer and information research scientists in Washington earn between $129,730 and $201,170.
- $103K10th
- $130K25th
- $161KMedian
- $201K75th
- $224K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $165,880 | $13,823 | $79.75 |
| Median | $161,090 | $13,424 | $77.45 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $129,730 | $10,811 | $62.37 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $201,170 | $16,764 | $96.72 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $165,880, a single filer in Washington takes home about $113,514 a year, or $9,459 a month and $4,366 every two weeks. Taxes take 32% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $117,937 | $9,828 |
| Working in MD | $116,696 | $9,725 |
| Working in VA | $115,921 | $9,660 |
| Working in DC | $113,514 | $9,459 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for computer and information research scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $165,880 buys what about $152,346 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 3.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$155,510
- Lexington Park, MD$137,830
- Charlottesville, VA$149,390
- Richmond, VA$160,770
- Philadelphia, PA$127,220
- Virginia Beach, VA$135,070
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 Washington: questions
How much do computer and information research scientists make an hour in Washington?
$79.75 an hour on average, and $77.45 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level computer and information research scientists salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $103,440 a year and the 25th percentile is $129,730, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the computer and information research scientists take-home pay in Washington?
About $113,514 a year ($9,459 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $165,880.
Do computer and information research scientists earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($159,462).
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.6%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 4.56, this job is 4.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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