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Occupation · SOC 15-1221

Computer and Information Research Scientists

There are 37,200 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $140,300 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

Computer & MathTypical education: Master's degree
37,200
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$140,300
Median pay a year
Middle half: $103,570–$188,700
2,900
Annual openings
10-year change: +21.8%
4,003
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+36.3% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 70 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $161,090 · LCA filings 703,420$161,09070
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAMedian pay $218,420 · LCA filings 1,1772,210$218,4201,177
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $170,890 · LCA filings 5582,100$170,890558
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $121,530 · LCA filings 581,680$121,53058
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $171,440 · LCA filings 7421,670$171,440742
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $170,510 · LCA filings 1921,620$170,510192
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $211,270 · LCA filings 7261,620$211,270726
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $156,750 · LCA filings 271,070$156,75027
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $155,960 · LCA filings 136940$155,960136
Ogden, UTMedian pay $96,740 · LCA filings 0810$96,7400

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 2,210 · LCA filings 1,177$218,4202,2101,177
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 1,620 · LCA filings 726$211,2701,620726
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAEmployment 660 · LCA filings 22$206,22066022
Rochester, NYEmployment 50 · LCA filings 3$204,340503
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYEmployment 200 · LCA filings 7$181,9902007

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 184 · Employment 2,2101,1771842,210
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 192 · Employment 1,6707421921,670
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployers with LCA filings 83 · Employment 1,620726831,620
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 142 · Employment 2,1005581422,100
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 84 · Employment 1,620192841,620

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $138,258 · Level III $165,610 · Level IV $192,941$110,926$138,258$165,610$192,941
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $178,755 · Level III $216,195 · Level IV $253,614$141,336$178,755$216,195$253,614
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $150,738 · Level III $193,960 · Level IV $237,182$107,515$150,738$193,960$237,182
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $107,806 · Level III $131,872 · Level IV $155,917$83,762$107,806$131,872$155,917
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $137,779 · Level III $175,136 · Level IV $212,493$100,422$137,779$175,136$212,493
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $133,702 · Level III $170,726 · Level IV $207,750$96,678$133,702$170,726$207,750
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $163,072 · Level III $202,862 · Level IV $242,632$123,302$163,072$202,862$242,632
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $133,307 · Level III $155,293 · Level IV $177,278$111,322$133,307$155,293$177,278
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $126,630 · Level III $159,390 · Level IV $192,150$93,870$126,630$159,390$192,150
Ogden, UTLevel II $93,038 · Level III $104,624 · Level IV $116,230$81,432$93,038$104,624$116,230

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Computer ScienceCIP 11.07 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months27,204STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralCIP 11.01 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months32,134STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Data ScienceCIP 30.70 · Usually needs more educationVaries by program4,588Varies by program

See Computer and Information Research Scientists in every metro area

All 70 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology