Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in District of Columbia
Computer and Information Research Scientists in District of Columbia earn a median of $144,190 a year ($69.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,640 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $140,300. District of Columbia ranks 9th of 35 states for computer and information research scientists pay. There are 0.47 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $148,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,010 | $48.08 |
| 25th percentile | $121,180 | $58.26 |
| Median | $144,190 | $69.32 |
| 75th percentile | $185,220 | $89.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,640 | $94.54 |
| Average (mean) | $148,690 | $71.48 |
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 | $12,015.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,007.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,545.77 |
| Weekly | $2,772.88 |
| Hourly | $69.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $144,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $161,090 | 3,420 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $156,590 | $75.29 |
| Software Developer | $136,880 | $65.81 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $80,950 | $38.92 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $116,820 | $56.16 |
| Information Security Analyst | $135,090 | $64.95 |
| Computer Network Architect | $137,670 | $66.19 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Database Architect | $150,010 | $72.12 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $103,340 | $49.68 |
| Database Administrator | $118,540 | $56.99 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $107,650 | $51.76 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $91,370 | $43.93 |
| Web Developer | $114,690 | $55.14 |
| Data Scientist | $126,490 | $60.81 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in District of Columbia is $144,190 a year, or $69.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in District of Columbia earn at least $196,640 a year. The top 25% earn $185,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,010 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $121,180 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in District of Columbia?
About 330 computer and information research scientists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.