Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in Washington
Based on 2K+ workers in Washington
Median Annual Salary (WA)
$202,400
$97.31/hr
vs National Average
$133,027
+52.1% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$96K – $281K
2K employed in Washington
Computer and Information Research Scientist salary in Washington averages $182,160 per year, based on data from 89 workers in the state. This figure falls just 1% below the national average, positioning Washington competitively within the tech sector. The salary range extends up to $187,352 annually, reflecting the earning potential for experienced professionals in this specialized field.
Several factors influence Computer and Information Research Scientist salary in Washington, including years of experience, educational credentials, and specific industry sector. Employer size and geographic location within the state also play significant roles in compensation packages. Additionally, the specialized nature of research work and individual contributions to innovative projects can substantially impact earning potential in this highly technical profession.
Salary Distribution — Computer and Information Research Scientist in Washington
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $95,890 |
| 25th percentile | $132,240 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $202,400 |
| 75th percentile | $234,150 |
| 90th percentile | $281,050 |
Top H-1B Employers for Computer and Information Research Scientist in Washington
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Washington — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon.com Services LLC | 133 | $167,100 |
| 2 | Meta Platforms, Inc | 37 | $211,654 |
| 3 | Amazon Web Services, Inc. | 16 | $156,831 |
| 4 | NVIDIA Corporation | 11 | $214,178 |
| 5 | Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc. | 11 | $156,831 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Computer and Information Research Scientist H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Washington
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Washington.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $149,500 | 17 |
| Level II | Qualified | $180,547 | 73 |
| Level III | Experienced | $217,450 | 32 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $256,108 | 22 |
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 Washington 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 Washington vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Washington) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $182,650 |
| 2023 | $218,180 |
| 2024 | $221,990 |
| 2025 | $202,400 |
| 2026 (projected) | $202,400 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Washington Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $182,650 | $120,162 |
| 2023 | $218,180 | $127,853 |
| 2024 | $221,990 | $131,937 |
| 2025 | $202,400 | $133,027 |
| 2026 (projected) | $202,400 | $133,027 |
Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $132,240 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $202,400 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $234,150 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $281,050 |
Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Computer and Information Research Scientist Salaries in Washington
How other high-demand occupations in Washington compare to Computer and Information Research Scientist ($202,400 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Computer and Information Research Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in WA | $209,370 | +3.4% | $100.66/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in WA | $169,120 | -16.4% | $81.31/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in WA | $168,070 | -17.0% | $80.80/hr |
| Software Developer in WA | $166,540 | -17.7% | $80.07/hr |
| Data Scientist in WA | $163,350 | -19.3% | $78.53/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in WA | $154,940 | -23.4% | $74.49/hr |
| Multimedia Artist and Animator in WA | $133,480 | -34.1% | $64.17/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in WA | $130,480 | -35.5% | $62.73/hr |
| Web Developer in WA | $130,440 | -35.6% | $62.71/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in WA | $129,410 | -36.1% | $62.22/hr |
| Software Engineer in WA | $128,940 | -36.3% | $61.99/hr |
| Database Administrator in WA | $128,760 | -36.4% | $61.90/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do computer and information research scientists make in Washington?
- Computer and information research scientists in Washington earn a median salary of $182,160 per year, which translates to $88 per hour. This is slightly below the national average by 0.9%.
What is the salary range for research scientists in Washington state?
- The salary range for computer and information research scientists in Washington extends up to $187,352 per year at the high end. This range reflects the compensation available in the state for professionals in this field.
How many computer research scientists are employed in Washington?
- There are currently 89 computer and information research scientists employed in Washington, representing a specialized but established workforce in the state.
Is Washington's computer scientist salary higher than the national average?
- No, Washington's median salary of $182,160 for computer and information research scientists is actually 0.9% below the national average. However, the state still offers competitive compensation for this specialized role.