Research and science jobs offer pay well above the national average. Increased demand for STEM workers is increasing salaries in research and science. Jobs in these fields, however, often require higher education at the graduate level and/or specialized training. While domain-specific expertise gives workers in these fields access to very specialized jobs, there are also many employers who hire STEM workers for their general data and technology skills.
Computer Scientist salary in US
A Computer Scientist salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Computer Scientist in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $62,893 to $183,608 per year, based on 2,176 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Computer Scientist in US can make a salary range of $96,503 to $203,199 with at least 5 years of experience, based on 8 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Computer Scientist gets the highest compensation are Orbital Insight Inc, SMA, Inc. and Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.. Bigger companies typically pay 28.10% more than smaller companies for a Computer Scientist.
Recent salaries shared by Computer Scientist
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Computer Scientist
|
15+ years
$211K/yr
($204K • $7K)
Albuquerque, NM
submitted on May 31, 2026
$211K/yr
$204K • $7K
Computer Scientist
|
15+ years
$163K - $189K/yr
Dallas, TX
submitted on May 29, 2026
$163K - $189K/yr
Computer Scientist
|
7-9 years
$95K/yr
($95K • $0)
Stennis Space Center, MS
submitted on May 29, 2026
$95K/yr
$95K • $0
Computer Scientist
|
1-3 years
$93K/yr
($93K • $0)
Philadelphia, PA
submitted on May 27, 2026
$93K/yr
$93K • $0
Computer Scientist
|
4-6 years
$99K - $116K/yr
North Charleston, SC
submitted on May 19, 2026
$99K - $116K/yr
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Computer Scientist
|
1-3 years
$93K/yr
($93K • $0)
Huntsville, AL
submitted on May 13, 2026
$93K/yr
$93K • $0
Computer Scientist
|
1-3 years
$71K - $82K/yr
Ogden, UT
submitted on May 12, 2026
$71K - $82K/yr
Computer Scientist
|
1-3 years
$84K - $98K/yr
Layton, UT
submitted on May 6, 2026
$84K - $98K/yr
Computer Scientist
|
1-3 years
$96K/yr
($85K • $11K)
Oklahoma City, OK
submitted on May 5, 2026
$96K/yr
$85K • $11K
Computer Scientist
|
1-3 years
$89K - $103K/yr
China Lake, CA
submitted on May 3, 2026
$89K - $103K/yr
Viewing 11 - 20 of 50
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for Computer Scientist in United States are Information Technology with a median total pay of $251,027, Energy, Mining & Utilities with a median total pay of $163,133, Management & Consulting with a median total pay of $162,435, Manufacturing with a median total pay of $152,315, and Personal Consumer Services with a median total pay of $149,355.
Information Technology
Top paying companies in Information Technology for Computer Scientist are Meta, Amazon, and Apple.
Frequently asked questions about Computer Scientist salaries
The average salary for Computer Scientist is $189,587 per year or $91 per hour, with top earners making up to $305,323 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $148,837 (25th percentile) to $244,618 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 2215 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Computer Scientist employees.
The highest salary for Computer Scientist is $244,618 per year, $20,385 per month or $118 per hour.
The lowest salary for Computer Scientist is $148,837 per year, $12,403 per month or $72 per hour.
Roughly 73% of computer scientists are happy with their income. Additional earnings of around $44,565.55 can significantly boost a computer scientist's salary, and obtaining a Master's degree and additional certifications can also increase your earning potential.
A master's degree in computer science isn't mandatory, but it can increase how much you can earn as a computer scientist. A postgraduate qualification demonstrates a detailed understanding of in-demand subjects, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and information systems.
Highly-paid computer scientist jobs require advanced technical expertise, so employers often favor candidates with proven credentials. For example, vendor-specific certifications from Microsoft or Cisco can expand your employment opportunities and earning power. Cybersecurity skills are also highly desirable. Therefore, it's worth considering completing a qualification in this area, such as the CompTIA Security + certification.
If you've found a computer scientist job you love, but the compensation package is less than generous, negotiating with the employer can help you secure an appropriate salary for your skills and experience. Highlighting any role-specific skills can be helpful, but giving examples of how your skills have benefited your employers in the past is more persuasive.
So, instead of simply pointing out your advanced cybersecurity knowledge, you could provide statistical evidence of a reduction in security breaches or accuracy percentages for security weakness testing. If you're in a leadership position, highlighting factors such as employee retention rates can also help convince your employer to make you a better offer.
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