Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Computer User Support Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn $80,570 more per year than Computer User Support Specialists professionals — that's 133.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer and Information Research Scientists earns $232,120 compared to $98,010 for Computer User Support Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
Computer User Support Specialists$38,780 – $98,010
$38,780$232,120
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Computer User Support Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $80,670 | $38,780 | +$41,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,710 | $47,580 | +$55,130 |
| Median (50th) | $140,910 | $60,340 | +$80,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $181,210 | $77,010 | +$104,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $232,120 | $98,010 | +$134,110 |
| Mean (Average) | $152,310 | $64,990 | +$87,320 |
Employment Numbers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
38,480
employed nationwide
Computer User Support Specialists
697,210
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer and Information Research Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $232,120 |
| Richmond, VA | $231,930 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $191,880 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $169,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,820 |
Best Cities for Computer User Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,010 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $80,930 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $77,750 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer and Information Research Scientists or Computer User Support Specialists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $80,570 (133.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists salaries range from $80,670 (10th percentile) to $232,120 (90th percentile), with a median of $140,910.
What is the salary range for Computer User Support Specialists?
Computer User Support Specialists salaries range from $38,780 (10th percentile) to $98,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,340.
How many Computer and Information Research Scientists and Computer User Support Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 38,480 Computer and Information Research Scientists positions and 697,210 Computer User Support Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer User Support Specialists to Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer and Information Research Scientists has a median salary of $140,910 while Computer User Support Specialists earns $60,340. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS