Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $218,420 a year ($105.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $133,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $310,190 for the top 10%. That is 56% higher than the national median of $140,300. Pay here is 37% higher than the California statewide median of $159,100. There are 1.9 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $216,560, close to the median.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $133,270 | $64.07 |
| 25th percentile | $171,990 | $82.69 |
| Median | $218,420 | $105.01 |
| 75th percentile | $270,170 | $129.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $310,190 | $149.13 |
| Average (mean) | $216,560 | $104.12 |
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 | $18,201.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,100.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,400.77 |
| Weekly | $4,200.38 |
| Hourly | $105.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $218,420 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $171,880 | 70 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $171,440 | 1,670 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $155,960 | 940 |
| 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $213,110 | $102.46 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $184,430 | $88.67 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $157,140 | $75.55 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $166,530 | $80.06 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $93,590 | $45.00 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $201,260 | $96.76 |
| Computer Network Architect | $186,110 | $89.47 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $133,360 | $64.12 |
| Information Security Analyst | $176,120 | $84.67 |
| Web Developer | $166,670 | $80.13 |
| Database Architect | $197,960 | $95.17 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $124,130 | $59.68 |
| Computer Programmer | $154,920 | $74.48 |
| Database Administrator | $138,620 | $66.64 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $218,420 a year, or $105.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $133,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $310,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $310,190 a year. The top 25% earn $270,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $133,270 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $171,990 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 2,210 computer and information research scientists are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.