SOC 15-1221 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Computer and Information Research Scientists — Rhode Island
Rhode Island · 1 metro areas compared
In Rhode Island the median wage is $121,470.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Rhode Island the median wage is $121,470. That is 13.4% lower than the national median of $140,300. Pay ranges from under $91,230 at the tenth percentile to more than $170,680 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $102,790 to $154,460.
Employment stands at 500, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Rhode Island ranks number 24th out of 35 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Providence records the highest median at $123,390. Of the 545 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 54th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $91,230 | −35.0% |
| 25th | $102,790 | −26.7% |
| Median (50th) | $121,470 | −13.4% |
| 75th | $154,460 | +10.1% |
| 90th | $170,680 | +21.7% |
| Mean | $127,470 | −9.1% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Rhode Island
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence | $123,390 | 510 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Rhode Island run 2.3% above the national average, so the median of $121,470 buys what $118,739 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 15.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$121,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
102.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$118,739US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $121,470 a year, 13.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $91,230 to $170,680 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 500 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 24th of 35 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Providence, at $123,390.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Rhode Island?
The median annual wage is $121,470, or $58.40 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 Rhode Island is 13.4% lower. 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 Rhode Island earns more than $170,680 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $91,230 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 Providence, at $123,390 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 500 jobs in this occupation in Rhode Island. 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.
Explore related data