Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in Washington, DC
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $161,090 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $110,647 take-home, or $9,221 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer and information research scientist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,396
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,988
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,336
- District of Columbia income tax$10,724
- Take-home pay$110,647
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Computer and Information Research Scientist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,440 | $49.73 | $75,776 | $6,315 |
| 25th percentile | $129,730 | $62.37 | $91,878 | $7,656 |
| Median (50th) | $161,090 | $77.45 | $110,647 | $9,221 |
| 75th percentile | $201,170 | $96.72 | $135,658 | $11,305 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $223,800 | $107.60 | $149,927 | $12,494 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $161,090 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer and information research scientist's $110,647 take-home pay has the buying power of $101,619 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 4.6× the national concentration of computer and information research scientist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer and information research scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 of 1 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $161,090 | $110,647 | $101,619 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 1 metros →
About the job: computer and information research scientists
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +21.8% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer and information research scientist make in Washington, DC?
The median computer and information research scientist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $161,090 a year, or about $77.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $129,730 and $201,170.
What is a computer and information research scientist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $161,090 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $110,647 a year ($9,221 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,724 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a computer and information research scientist?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $140,300. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $101,619 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 1 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer and information research scientist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median computer and information research scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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