Computer Scientists: Job, Salary, and School Information from The Riley Guide

Computer Scientists

Career and Education Info

Job Numbers and Growth

Across the US there are 25,000 computer scientists. This occupation has an unemployment level that is low.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Employees may end up working less than full time; 6% of those in the career did so in 2008. 5% of the time computer scientists are self employed.

Training and Education

Finding jobs is easier for workers with a doctoral degree. Recent government surveys (2008) show that 68% of employees have received at least a 4 year degree. Computer scientists who attended college, but do not have a degree make up 25% of the total. A high school diploma was all the education obtained by 7% of workers. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which, if any, could help you with this career.

Area Job Conditions

The fewest jobs (per capita) are found in Bridgeport (Connecticut), Nassau (New York), and Memphis (Tennessee), and the most jobs are found in Blacksburg (Virginia), Austin (Texas), and Gulfport (Mississippi).

The earnings potential (not adjusted for cost of living) is highest in San Jose (California), Bridgeport (Connecticut), and Boston (Massachusetts). However, the potential is lowest in Gulfport (Mississippi), Salt Lake City (Utah), and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania).

Career Overview Video About Computer Scientists

Computer Scientists: Job and Salary Data by Metropolitan Area

The table below shows data for Computer Scientists, as of 2008. The Popularity in Area number tells you how common jobs for Computer Scientists are in the area, compared to other US metro areas. A value of 1.0 means an average number of people in the position for area population. Lower numbers mean fewer of these positions in the metro area. The most popular areas for Computer Scientists are starred .

State	Area	Positions	Typical Pay	Popularity in Area
Alabama	Huntsville	250	$99,310	7.1
Arizona	Phoenix	180	$105,400	0.6
California	Bakersfield	260	$88,770	5.7
California	Oakland	110	$116,260	0.6
California	San Diego	860	$102,530	3.7
California	San Francisco	690	$123,030	3.9
California	San Jose	1,050	$125,260	6.5
California	Santa Ana	120	$97,930	0.4
California	Santa Barbara	30	$112,020	1.1
Colorado	Boulder	80	$110,140	3
Colorado	Colorado Springs	80	$104,930	1.9
Colorado	Denver	120	$85,720	0.5
Connecticut	Bridgeport	30	$111,870	0.4
Connecticut	Hartford	70	$101,540	0.7
District of Columbia	Washington	2,240	$104,860	5.5
Florida	Miami	70	$81,180	0.4
Florida	Palm Bay	70	$82,240	2.1
Florida	West Palm Beach	40	$102,990	0.4
Georgia	Atlanta	490	$113,450	1.2
Hawaii	Honolulu	50	$91,110	0.7
Indiana	Indianapolis	90	$99,620	0.6
Louisiana	Baton Rouge	180	$77,010	2.8
Maryland	Baltimore	340	$95,200	1.5
Maryland	Bethesda	740	$103,240	7.4
Massachusetts	Boston	1,200	$123,000	4
Michigan	Ann Arbor	40	$99,170	1.4
Michigan	Warren	120	$85,880	0.6
Minnesota	Minneapolis	200	$100,490	0.6
Mississippi	Gulfport	150	$72,390	8.5
Missouri	St Louis	110	$99,070	0.5
New Hampshire	Nashua	30	$116,510	1.3
New Jersey	Edison	630	$112,470	3.5
New Jersey	Newark	170	$92,110	1
New Mexico	Albuquerque	70	$78,440	1
New York	Albany	190	$85,180	2.5
New York	Buffalo	120	$104,040	1.3
New York	Nassau	80	$92,080	0.4
New York	New York	760	$98,800	0.8
North Carolina	Durham	220	$95,570	4.7
North Carolina	Raleigh	140	$95,950	1.6
Ohio	Akron	60	$90,960	1
Ohio	Cincinnati	140	$104,250	0.8
Ohio	Cleveland	110	$118,940	0.6
Ohio	Columbus	260	$95,810	1.6
Ohio	Dayton	170	$91,030	2.5
Oklahoma	Oklahoma City	90	$81,340	0.9
Pennsylvania	Allentown	60	$70,370	1
Pennsylvania	Philadelphia	320	$98,780	1
Pennsylvania	Pittsburgh	520	$60,250	2.6
Rhode Island	Providence	320	$98,990	3.2
South Carolina	Charleston	150	$81,180	3
South Carolina	Columbia	70	$114,940	1.2
Tennessee	Knoxville	160	$84,020	2.8
Tennessee	Memphis	30	$90,870	0.3
Texas	Austin	1,140	$98,430	8.6
Texas	Dallas	270	$102,010	0.7
Texas	Houston	320	$100,780	0.7
Texas	San Antonio	320	$84,610	2.2
Utah	Ogden	100	$78,400	3
Utah	Salt Lake City	110	$72,530	1
Virginia	Blacksburg	130	$77,890	13.8
Virginia	Richmond	140	$82,300	1.3
Virginia	Virginia Beach	360	$80,820	2.7
Washington	Seattle	1,120	$117,740	4.4