SOC 15-1221 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Computer and Information Research Scientists — Phoenix
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Phoenix, AZ comes to $164,460 a year, ahead of the national median of $140,300 by 17.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Phoenix, AZ comes to $164,460 a year, ahead of the national median of $140,300 by 17.2%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $110,490 and $218,580. The lowest tenth earn under $62,870, while the highest tenth earn more than $409,390.
Employment stands at 160, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Tucson leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $79,580. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 23rd of 647 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,870 | −55.2% |
| 25th | $110,490 | −21.2% |
| Median (50th) | $164,460 | +17.2% |
| 75th | $218,580 | +55.8% |
| 90th | $409,390 | +191.8% |
| Mean | $195,400 | +39.3% |
Other metro areas in Arizona
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tucson | $79,580 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Phoenix sit close to the national average, so $164,460 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$164,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$163,317US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $164,460 a year, 17.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,870 to $409,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Tucson, at $79,580.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Phoenix, AZ?
The median annual wage is $164,460, or $79.07 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 Phoenix, AZ is 17.2% 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 Phoenix, AZ earns more than $409,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,870 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 Tucson, at $79,580 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 160 jobs in this occupation in Phoenix, AZ. 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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