What They Do: Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology.
Work Environment: Most computer and information research scientists work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become One: Most jobs for computer and information research scientists require a master’s degree in computer science or a related field. In the federal government, a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some jobs.
Salary: The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists is $131,490.
Job Outlook: Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 21 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of computer and information research scientists with similar occupations.
Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and other fields.
Computer and information research scientists typically do the following:
Computer and information research scientists create and improve computer software and hardware.
Creating and improving software involves working with algorithms, which are sets of instructions that tell a computer what to do. Some computing tasks are very difficult and require complex algorithms. Computer and information research scientists try to simplify these algorithms to make computer systems as efficient as possible. The algorithms allow advancements in many types of technology, such as machine learning systems and cloud computing.
Computer and information research scientists design new computer architecture that improves the performance and efficiency of computer hardware. Their work often leads to technological advancements and efficiencies, such as better networking technology, faster computing speeds, and improved information security. In general, computer and information research scientists work at a more theoretical level than do other computer professionals.
Some computer scientists work with electrical engineers, computer hardware engineers, and other specialists on multidisciplinary projects. The following are examples of types of specialties for computer and information research scientists:
Data science. Computer and information research scientists write algorithms that are used to detect and analyze patterns in very large datasets. They improve ways to sort, manage, and display data. Computer scientists build algorithms into software packages that make the data easier for analysts to use. For example, they may create an algorithm to analyze a very large set of medical data in order to find new ways to treat diseases. They may also look for patterns in traffic data to help clear accidents faster.
Robotics. Some computer and information research scientists study how to improve robots. Robotics explores how a machine can interact with the physical world. Computer and information research scientists create the programs that control the robots. They work closely with engineers who focus on the hardware design of robots. Together, these workers test how well the robots do the tasks they were created to do, such as assemble cars or collect data on other planets.
Programming. Computer and information research scientists design new programming languages that are used to write software. The new languages make software writing more efficient by improving an existing language, such as Java, or by making a specific aspect of programming, such as image processing, easier.
Computer and information research scientists hold about 33,500 jobs. The largest employers of computer and information research scientists are as follows:
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 31% |
| Computer systems design and related services | 20% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 16% |
| Software publishers | 6% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 5% |
Some scientists collaborate with engineers or other specialists or research scientists in different locations and do much of their work online.
Most computer and information research scientists work full time.
Get the education you need: Find schools for Computer and Information Research Scientists near you!
Most jobs for computer and information research scientists require a master's degree in computer science or a related field. In the federal government, a bachelor's degree may be sufficient for some jobs.
Most computer and information research scientists need a master's degree in computer science or a related field, such as computer engineering. A master's degree usually requires 2 to 3 years of study after earning a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field, such as computer science or information systems.
Computer scientists who work in a specialized field may need knowledge of that field. For example, those working on biomedical applications may need to have taken some biology classes.
Some computer scientists may become computer and information systems managers.
Analytical skills. Computer and information research scientists must be organized in their thinking and analyze the results of their research to formulate conclusions.
Communication skills. Computer and information research scientists must communicate well with programmers and managers and be able to clearly explain their conclusions to people with no technical background. They often present their research at conferences.
Critical-thinking skills. Computer and information research scientists work on many complex problems.
Detail oriented. Computer and information research scientists must pay close attention to their work, because a small programming error can cause an entire project to fail.
Ingenuity. Computer and information research scientists must continually come up with innovative ways to solve problems, particularly when their ideas do not initially work as intended.
Logical thinking. Computer algorithms rely on logic. Computer and information research scientists must have a talent for reasoning.
Math skills. Computer and information research scientists must have knowledge of advanced math and other technical topics that are critical in computing.
The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists is $131,490. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $74,210, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000.
The median annual wages for computer and information research scientists in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $161,870 |
| Software publishers | $152,940 |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | $132,810 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $112,310 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | $79,510 |
Most computer and information research scientists work full time.
Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 21 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 3,300 openings for computer and information research scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The research and development conducted by computer and information research scientists turn ideas into technology. As demand for new and better technology grows, demand for computer and information research scientists will grow as well.
Rapid growth in data collection by businesses will lead to an increased need for data-mining services. Computer and information research scientists will be needed to write algorithms that help businesses make sense of very large amounts of data.
A growing emphasis on cybersecurity also should lead to new jobs because computer and information research scientists will be needed to find innovative ways to prevent potential cyberattacks. In addition, an increase in demand for software may increase the need for computer and information research scientists who create new programming languages to make software writing more efficient.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Computer and information research scientists | 33,500 | 40,600 | 21 | 7,100 |
For more information about computer and information research scientists, visit
Association for Computing Machinery
For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.