Computer and Information Research Scientists pay range in San Jose
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $133,270 a year or less, while the top 10% make $310,190 or more. The middle half of computer and information research scientists in San Jose earn between $171,990 and $270,170.
- $133K10th
- $172K25th
- $218KMedian
- $270K75th
- $310K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $216,560 | $18,047 | $104.12 |
| Median | $218,420 | $18,202 | $105.01 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $171,990 | $14,332 | $82.69 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $270,170 | $22,514 | $129.89 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Computer and Information Research Scientists pay in San Jose vs. California and the U.S.
Computer and information research scientists in San Jose earn 28% more than the California average ($168,580) and 41% more than the U.S. average ($153,930). At the median the gap is +56% against the U.S. median of $140,300.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $216,560 | $218,420 | $133,270 | $310,190 | 2,210 |
| California | $168,580 | $159,100 | $88,920 | $275,320 | 8,440 |
| United States | $153,930 | $140,300 | $82,200 | $230,630 | 37,200 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary after taxes in San Jose
On the average salary of $216,560, a single filer in San Jose takes home about $145,075 a year, or $12,090 a month and $5,580 every two weeks. Taxes take 33% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Jose a good place for computer and information research scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Jose area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 110.4), so the average $216,560 buys what about $196,119 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.6 times the median wage of all jobs in San Jose ($84,050). A typical home costs $1,610,466, or 7.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in other California cities
San Jose ranks 1st of 9 California metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- San Jose$216,560
- San Francisco$175,510
- Santa Maria$173,060
- Sacramento$163,410
- Los Angeles$159,710
- Riverside$139,320
- San Diego$132,100
- Bakersfield$122,720
- Oxnard$119,940
All Computer and Information Research Scientists salaries in California
Highest-paying cities for computer and information research scientists
Portland, OR pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($223,160).
- Portland, OR$223,160
- San Jose, CA$216,560
- Seattle, WA$203,260
- Phoenix, AZ$195,400
- New York, NY$194,390
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Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in San Jose: questions
How much do computer and information research scientists make an hour in San Jose?
$104.12 an hour on average, and $105.01 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level computer and information research scientists salary in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $133,270 a year and the 25th percentile is $171,990, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the computer and information research scientists take-home pay in San Jose?
About $145,075 a year ($12,090 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $216,560. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do computer and information research scientists earn more in San Jose than elsewhere?
The average here is 41% more than the U.S. average for this job ($153,930).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 15-1221; area San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (41940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 8.14, this job is 8.1 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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