RateOrchard
DATA PROFILE · 2024

Computer and Information Research Scientists salary in District of Columbia

Median, range, employment, and 10-year outlook from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, with skills and task data from O*NET. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 27, 2026
Median annual$153,630
Mean annual$149,800
Range (10th to 90th)$98,510 to $191,880
District of Columbia employment330
State vs national+5.8% vs national

Salary distribution

Where District of Columbia computer and information research scientists fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$98,51025TH$118,450MEDIAN$153,63075TH$179,05090TH$191,880

The middle 50% of workers earn between $118,450 and $179,050, with a median of $153,630.

Real disclosed salaries

Computer and Information Research Scientists in District of Columbia: actual employer-disclosed pay

Public records from 7 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $176,597. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.

By DOL wage level

DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.

LevelFilingsMedian offer
Level I — entry1$166,000
Level II — qualified1$176,597
Level III — experienced3$203,350
Level IV — fully competent1$180,773

Top employers filing for this role

Companies with the most certified filings for Computer and Information Research Scientists in District of Columbia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.

EmployerMost-filed titleFilingsMedian
Meta Platforms, IncResearch Scientist3$203,350
Center for Global DevelopmentResearch Fellow1$146,266
Halvik CorpAI Research Scientist / Tech Lead1$165,000
Current Surgical Inc.Deep Learning and Image Processing Scientist1$166,000
Tools for Humanity CorporationStaff Research Scientist1$180,773

Recent sample filings

A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.

  • Research Fellow at Center for Global Development
    $146,266
    WashingtonDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25310-384505
  • AI Research Scientist / Tech Lead at Halvik Corp
    $165,000
    WashingtonWage Level IIIDecided Sep 30, 2025I-200-25267-330359
  • Deep Learning and Image Processing Scientist at Current Surgical Inc.
    $166,000
    WashingtonWage Level IDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25120-923295
  • Research Scientist at Meta Platforms, Inc
    $176,597
    WashingtonWage Level IIDecided May 2, 2025I-200-25115-903843
  • Research Scientist at Meta Platforms, Inc
    $207,502
    WashingtonWage Level IIIDecided Apr 7, 2025I-200-25091-816165
  • Research Scientist at Meta Platforms, Inc
    $203,350
    WashingtonWage Level IIIDecided Feb 25, 2025I-200-25050-705344
  • Staff Research Scientist at Tools for Humanity Corporation
    $180,773
    Washington D.C.Wage Level IVDecided Dec 11, 2024I-200-24339-517915

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.

By seniority

Computer and Information Research Scientists pay by experience level in District of Columbia

Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.

Pay by industry

Computer and Information Research Scientists in District of Columbia, by industry

Median offered wage across 7 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $180,773.

IndustryLargest employerFilingsMedian offer
Technology and softwareMeta Platforms, Inc5$180,773
Professional servicesCenter for Global Development1$146,266
ManufacturingCurrent Surgical Inc.1$166,000

Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.

Wage trend

Median annual wage in District of Columbia over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.

Median annual wage, District of Columbia2023 to 2024
$145,7802023$153,6302024

Typical entry

  • Education

    Master's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge

    4.6 / 5
  • Inductive Reasoning

    Ability

    4.1 / 5
  • Deductive Reasoning

    Ability

    4.1 / 5
  • Mathematics

    Knowledge

    4.1 / 5
  • Oral Expression

    Ability

    4.0 / 5
  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Technical

    4.0 / 5
  • Critical Thinking

    Cross-functional

    4.0 / 5
  • Oral Comprehension

    Ability

    4.0 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.

  2. 02

    Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.

  3. 03

    Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.

  4. 04

    Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.

  5. 05

    Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.

  6. 06

    Design computers and the software that runs them.

  7. 07

    Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.

  8. 08

    Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.

10-year outlook

Growth 2024 → 2034

+19.9%

Projected annual openings

BLS outlook

Growing much faster than average

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 20242034 cycle.

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Top metros in District of Columbia

Metro-level salary data for computer and information research scientists in major District of Columbia metropolitan areas.

Compare Computer and Information Research Scientists pay across nearby states

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Computer and Information Research Scientists in District of Columbia?
According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in District of Columbia is $153,630.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national median for Computer and Information Research Scientists?
The District of Columbia median is +5.8% versus the BLS national figure of $145,146.
What is the salary range for Computer and Information Research Scientists in District of Columbia?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $98,510 and the 90th-percentile at $191,880, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
Is Computer and Information Research Scientists a growing field?
BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 19.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
What education is required for Computer and Information Research Scientists?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.