Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Customer Service Representatives: 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 $98,080 more per year than Customer Service Representatives professionals — that's 229.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer and Information Research Scientists earns $232,120 compared to $62,730 for Customer Service Representatives.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
Customer Service Representatives$30,690 – $62,730
$30,690$232,120
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Customer Service Representatives | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $80,670 | $30,690 | +$49,980 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,710 | $35,970 | +$66,740 |
| Median (50th) | $140,910 | $42,830 | +$98,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $181,210 | $50,140 | +$131,070 |
| 90th Percentile | $232,120 | $62,730 | +$169,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $152,310 | $45,380 | +$106,930 |
Employment Numbers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
38,480
employed nationwide
Customer Service Representatives
2,725,930
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 Customer Service Representatives
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,830 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $56,400 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $51,090 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $49,060 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $48,890 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer and Information Research Scientists or Customer Service Representatives?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $98,080 (229.0% 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 Customer Service Representatives?
Customer Service Representatives salaries range from $30,690 (10th percentile) to $62,730 (90th percentile), with a median of $42,830.
How many Computer and Information Research Scientists and Customer Service Representatives jobs are there?
There are approximately 38,480 Computer and Information Research Scientists positions and 2,725,930 Customer Service Representatives positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Customer Service Representatives 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 Customer Service Representatives earns $42,830. 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