SOC 15-1221 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Computer and Information Research Scientists — California
California · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in California is $159,100 per year, 13.4% above the national median of $140,300.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in California is $159,100 per year, 13.4% above the national median of $140,300. Half of workers earn between $112,170 and $213,630. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $88,920 and the ninetieth at $275,320.
Employment stands at 8,440, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. California ranks number 6th out of 35 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $218,420. Of the 793 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 51st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $88,920 | −36.6% |
| 25th | $112,170 | −20.0% |
| Median (50th) | $159,100 | +13.4% |
| 75th | $213,630 | +52.3% |
| 90th | $275,320 | +96.2% |
| Mean | $168,580 | +20.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $218,420 | 2,210 | |
| 2 | Santa Maria | $171,880 | 70 | |
| 3 | San Francisco | $171,440 | 1,670 | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $155,960 | 940 | |
| 5 | Sacramento | $139,210 | 140 | |
| 6 | Riverside | $137,330 | 150 | |
| 7 | San Diego | $121,530 | 1,680 | |
| 8 | Bakersfield | $116,650 | 490 | |
| 9 | Oxnard | $112,050 | 350 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in California run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $159,100 buys what $143,722 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 2.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$159,100as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$143,722US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $159,100 a year, 13.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $88,920 to $275,320 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 8,440 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 6th of 35 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $218,420.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in California?
The median annual wage is $159,100, or $76.49 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $140,300, so pay in California is 13.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in California earns more than $275,320 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $88,920 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $218,420 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 8,440 jobs in this occupation in California. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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