Hiring Computer and Information Research Scientists
Employers across the 46 metro areas we have BLS OEWS wage data for pay computer and information research scientists a median of $79,580 to $218,420 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A search through recruitlocalpros runs Tier I to Tier VI, $6,240 to $54,340, set by seniority, never by location or salary. Our vetted recruiting partner handles sourcing, screening and placement end to end.
What do computer and information research scientists do?
- Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
- Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
- Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Design computers and the software that runs them.
- Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 15-1221.00.
What does it take to become one?
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET Job Zone 5, SVP (8.0 and above). O*NET OnLine.
Employers commonly list experience with Amazon Web Services AWS software, C, C++, Chatbot software, Docker, Git for this role.
What do computer and information research scientists get paid?
BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for computer and information research scientists in 46 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $79,580 to $218,420 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $135,630. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.
BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 15-1221.
What does hiring one cost?
The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for computer and information research scientists in this build is $218,420. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $43,684 to $65,526 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.
Frequently asked
- How fast can a computer and information research scientists search fill?
- 23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.
- What if the hire does not work out?
- A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.
Price a computer and information research scientists search
Eight questions about the role. Your tier range appears on screen, with the contingency comparison if you are paying one now.