Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median of $155,960 a year ($74.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 940 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,300 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $140,300. Pay here is 2% lower than the California statewide median of $159,100. There are 0.15 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $159,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| 25th percentile | $104,470 | $50.23 |
| Median | $155,960 | $74.98 |
| 75th percentile | $189,260 | $90.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,300 | $109.28 |
| Average (mean) | $159,710 | $76.78 |
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 | $12,996.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,498.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,998.46 |
| Weekly | $2,999.23 |
| Hourly | $74.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $155,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $218,420 | 2,210 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $171,880 | 70 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $171,440 | 1,670 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $139,210 | 140 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $137,330 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $121,530 | 1,680 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $116,650 | 490 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $112,050 | 350 |
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 or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $160,920 | $77.37 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $109,700 | $52.74 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | $58.44 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $106,550 | $51.23 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $106,290 | $51.10 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $122,210 | $58.76 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,630 | $62.32 |
| Computer Network Architect | $147,510 | $70.92 |
| Computer Programmer | $107,090 | $51.49 |
| Web Developer | $107,290 | $51.58 |
| Database Administrator | $112,540 | $54.10 |
| Database Architect | $155,740 | $74.88 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $155,960 a year, or $74.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn at least $227,300 a year. The top 25% earn $189,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,450 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $104,470 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
About 940 computer and information research scientists are employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.