Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in California
Based on 8K+ workers in California
Median Annual Salary (CA)
$159,100
$76.49/hr
vs National Average
$133,027
+19.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$89K – $275K
8K employed in California
Computer and Information Research Scientists in California earn a median salary of $209,084 per year, positioning the state as a lucrative market for this specialized field. With 211 workers currently employed in this role across California, the median compensation runs 14% above the national average, reflecting the state's robust technology sector and high cost of living.
Several factors influence Computer and Information Research Scientist salary in California, including years of experience, educational credentials, specific research focus, and employer type. The competitive tech industry landscape, concentration of major companies in Silicon Valley, and demand for specialized expertise in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning also play significant roles in shaping compensation levels throughout the state.
Salary Distribution — Computer and Information Research Scientist in California
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $88,920 |
| 25th percentile | $112,170 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $159,100 |
| 75th percentile | $213,630 |
| 90th percentile | $275,320 |
Top H-1B Employers for Computer and Information Research Scientist in California
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in California — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google LLC | 145 | $205,000 |
| 2 | Meta Platforms, Inc | 141 | $222,772 |
| 3 | Amazon.com Services LLC | 86 | $171,600 |
| 4 | Adobe Inc. | 80 | $174,899 |
| 5 | NVIDIA Corporation | 38 | $184,009 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Computer and Information Research Scientist H-1B Salary by Wage Level in California
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in California.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $150,000 | 65 |
| Level II | Qualified | $190,000 | 395 |
| Level III | Experienced | $207,095 | 208 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $251,000 | 179 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Computer and Information Research Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Computer and Information Research Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Computer and Information Research Scientists in California tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $214,370 | 4K |
| Wholesale Trade | $178,640 | 810 |
| Manufacturing | $177,580 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $166,880 | 160 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $163,290 | 530 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Computer and Information Research Scientist in California vs National
| Year | Median Salary (California) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $177,770 |
| 2023 | $175,530 |
| 2024 | $156,290 |
| 2025 | $159,100 |
| 2026 (projected) | $161,961 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | California Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $177,770 | $120,162 |
| 2023 | $175,530 | $127,853 |
| 2024 | $156,290 | $131,937 |
| 2025 | $159,100 | $133,027 |
| 2026 (projected) | $161,961 | $135,419 |
Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary by Experience Level in California
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $112,170 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $159,100 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $213,630 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $275,320 |
Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Computer and Information Research Scientist Salaries in California
How other high-demand occupations in California compare to Computer and Information Research Scientist ($159,100 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Computer and Information Research Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in CA | $218,290 | +37.2% | $104.95/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in CA | $185,180 | +16.4% | $89.03/hr |
| Data Analyst in CA | $180,500 | +13.5% | $86.78/hr |
| Software Developer in CA | $174,410 | +9.6% | $83.85/hr |
| Database Administrator in CA | $170,160 | +7.0% | $81.81/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in CA | $158,870 | -0.1% | $76.38/hr |
| Data Scientist in CA | $141,590 | -11.0% | $68.07/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in CA | $138,570 | -12.9% | $66.62/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in CA | $136,110 | -14.5% | $65.44/hr |
| Statistician in CA | $135,960 | -14.5% | $65.37/hr |
| Software Engineer in CA | $134,440 | -15.5% | $64.63/hr |
| Multimedia Artist and Animator in CA | $130,540 | -18.0% | $62.76/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists make in California?
- Computer and Information Research Scientists in California earn a median salary of $209,084 per year, or approximately $101 per hour. This is 13.7% higher than the national average for this role.
What is the salary range for a research scientist in California?
- The salary range for Computer and Information Research Scientists in California extends up to $226,953 per year at the high end. This represents the upper tier of compensation for professionals in this field within the state.
Is being a Computer and Information Research Scientist in California better paid than the national average?
- Yes, California offers significantly higher compensation for this role, with a median salary of $209,084 compared to the national average. This represents a 13.7% premium over typical salaries elsewhere in the United States.
How many Computer and Information Research Scientists work in California?
- There are approximately 211 Computer and Information Research Scientists currently employed in California, representing a relatively specialized workforce in the state.