How much does a computer and information research scientist make in California?
$159,100a year
Median yearly pay for computer and information research scientists in California. That is $76.49 an hour or $13,260 a month.
- Hourly
- $76.49
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 35
- Jobs in the state
- 8,440
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $88,920Median: $159,100Highest 10%: $275,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $88,920 | $42.75 | |
| 25th | $112,200 | $53.93 | |
| Median | $159,100 | $76.49 | |
| 75th | $213,600 | $102.71 | |
| 90th | $275,300 | $132.37 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $218,400 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $171,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $171,400 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $156,000 |
| Sacramento, CA | $139,200 |
| Riverside, CA | $137,300 |
| San Diego, CA | $121,500 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $116,700 |
| Oxnard, CA | $112,100 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for computer and information research scientists.
| 3. New York | $182,000 |
| 4. Massachusetts | $170,500 |
| 5. New Mexico | $165,700 |
| 6. California | $159,100 |
| 7. Virginia | $157,400 |
| 8. Maryland | $145,300 |
| 9. District of Columbia | $144,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer and information research scientist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $76.49 ($159,100 a year).
Do computer and information research scientists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $159,100 against $140,300 nationally, 13% more.
Where does California rank for computer and information research scientist pay?
California ranks 6 of 35 states.
Which city in California pays computer and information research scientists the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $218,400 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.