Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in San Diego, CA
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $121,530 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $85,674 take-home, or $7,139 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer and information research scientist salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,907
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,535
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,762
- California income tax$7,073
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,580
- Take-home pay$85,674
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Computer and Information Research Scientist pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,220 | $39.53 | $62,186 | $5,182 |
| 25th percentile | $96,180 | $46.24 | $70,527 | $5,877 |
| Median (50th) | $121,530 | $58.43 | $85,674 | $7,139 |
| 75th percentile | $156,480 | $75.23 | $105,863 | $8,822 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $128,881 | $10,740 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $121,530 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer and information research scientist's $85,674 take-home pay has the buying power of $76,572 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Diego, CA 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
San Diego, CA ranks #15 of 17 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $211,270 | $157,227 | $141,477 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $218,420 | $143,527 | $129,979 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $206,220 | $135,393 | $128,431 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $170,510 | $119,504 | $110,380 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $156,750 | $111,134 | $106,361 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $170,890 | $119,027 | $105,743 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $161,090 | $110,647 | $101,619 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $171,440 | $114,502 | $99,039 |
| 15 | San Diego, CA | $121,530 | $85,674 | $76,572 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 17 metros →
Computer and Information Research Scientist salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $218,420
- San Francisco, CA — $171,440
- Los Angeles, CA — $155,960
- Bakersfield, CA — $116,650
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer and information research scientist make in San Diego, CA?
The median computer and information research scientist salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $121,530 a year, or about $58.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $96,180 and $156,480.
What is a computer and information research scientist’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $121,530 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $85,674 a year ($7,139 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,653 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a computer and information research scientist?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $140,300. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $76,572 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #15 of 17 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer and information research scientist afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median computer and information research scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Diego, CA
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