Computer and Information Research Scientist Salary in Seattle, WA
Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $211,270 a year — 51% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $157,227 take-home, or $13,102 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer and information research scientist salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$39,439
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,165
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$157,227
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Computer and Information Research Scientist pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,480 | $49.75 | $81,628 | $6,802 |
| 25th percentile | $153,130 | $73.62 | $115,930 | $9,661 |
| Median (50th) | $211,270 | $101.57 | $157,227 | $13,102 |
| 75th percentile | $255,550+ | $122.86 | $186,826 | $15,569 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $286,400+ | $137.69 | $206,656 | $17,221 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $211,270 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% 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 $157,227 take-home pay has the buying power of $141,477 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 3.2× 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
Seattle, WA ranks #1 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 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 17 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer and information research scientist make in Seattle, WA?
The median computer and information research scientist salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $211,270 a year, or about $101.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $153,130 and $239,200+.
What is a computer and information research scientist’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $211,270 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $157,227 a year ($13,102 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a computer and information research scientist?
Pay here is 51% above the national median of $140,300. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $141,477 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 17 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer and information research scientist afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 15% 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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