Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $132,870 a year ($63.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,400 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $140,300. Pay here is 16% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $157,390. There are 0.61 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $135,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,340 | $41.99 |
| 25th percentile | $103,570 | $49.79 |
| Median | $132,870 | $63.88 |
| 75th percentile | $158,210 | $76.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,400 | $87.21 |
| Average (mean) | $135,070 | $64.94 |
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 | $11,072.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,536.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,110.38 |
| Weekly | $2,555.19 |
| Hourly | $63.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $132,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $162,910 | 160 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $161,090 | 3,420 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $144,580 | 40 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $136,990 | 90 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $128,370 | 280 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,630 | 110 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $129,090 | $62.06 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $116,920 | $56.21 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,760 | $49.89 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Information Security Analyst | $126,030 | $60.59 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Computer Network Architect | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $105,970 | $50.95 |
| Database Architect | $135,130 | $64.97 |
| Database Administrator | $92,800 | $44.61 |
| Web Developer | $103,440 | $49.73 |
| Computer Programmer | $103,070 | $49.55 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $68,590 | $32.97 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $132,870 a year, or $63.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $181,400 a year. The top 25% earn $158,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,340 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $103,570 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 460 computer and information research scientists are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.