Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $161,090 a year ($77.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $223,800 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $140,300. Pay here is 12% higher than the District of Columbia statewide median of $144,190. There are 1.1 computer and information research scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $165,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer and information research scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,440 | $49.73 |
| 25th percentile | $129,730 | $62.37 |
| Median | $161,090 | $77.45 |
| 75th percentile | $201,170 | $96.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $223,800 | $107.60 |
| Average (mean) | $165,880 | $79.75 |
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 | $13,424.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,712.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,195.77 |
| Weekly | $3,097.88 |
| Hourly | $77.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $161,090 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $162,910 | 160 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $156,750 | 1,070 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $144,580 | 40 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $136,660 | 360 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $132,870 | 460 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $125,320 | 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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $154,930 | $74.49 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,040 | $61.08 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Information Security Analyst | $148,950 | $71.61 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $125,430 | $60.30 |
| Computer Network Architect | $159,820 | $76.84 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $126,350 | $60.74 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $92,400 | $44.42 |
| Database Architect | $162,870 | $78.30 |
| Web Developer | $134,350 | $64.59 |
| Database Administrator | $108,750 | $52.29 |
| Computer Programmer | $130,390 | $62.69 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $97,000 | $46.63 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $156,640 | $75.31 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for computer and information research scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $161,090 a year, or $77.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $223,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer and information research scientists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of computer and information research scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $223,800 a year. The top 25% earn $201,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer and information research scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,440 a year, and a quarter of computer and information research scientists earn $129,730 or less.
How many computer and information research scientists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 3,420 computer and information research scientists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.