Computer and Mathematical · Holland code ICR

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

Also called: Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Control System Computer Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientific Programmer Analyst.

O*NET 15-1221.00

At a glance

US median annual pay: $140,300; Middle half earn $103,570 to $188,700. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Most common education: Bachelor's Degree; 36% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
Preparation needed: Job Zone 5 of 5; Extensive preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
US employment outlook, 2024 to 2034: +20% · Much faster than average; 40,300 jobs in 2024, projected 48,300. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which groups this with similar roles as "Computer and information research scientists".

What the work involves

The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.

Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.
Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
Design computers and the software that runs them.
Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.

Skills and knowledge it leans on

Skills

Critical Thinking4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension3.8 / 5
Active Listening3.8 / 5
Speaking3.5 / 5
Active Learning3.5 / 5
Writing3.4 / 5

Knowledge areas

Computers and Electronics4.6 / 5
Mathematics4.1 / 5
Engineering and Technology4.0 / 5
English Language3.9 / 5
Administration and Management3.3 / 5
Design3.3 / 5

Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.

Who tends to enjoy it

How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.

Realistic46
Investigative100
Artistic33
Social17
Enterprising25
Conventional63

The same work abroad

Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.

European occupation titles (ESCO)

ICT research manager · DE IT-Innovationsmanager/IT-Innovationsmanagerin · FR responsable de la recherche informatique
biometrician · DE Biometriker/Biometrikerin · FR biométricien/biométricienne
bioinformatics scientist · DE Bioinformatiker/Bioinformatikerin · FR bioinformaticien/bioinformaticienne
nanoengineer · DE Ingenieur für Nanotechnologie/Ingenieurin für Nanotechnologie · FR ingénieur en nanotechnologie/ingénieure en nanotechnologie
computer scientist · DE Informatiker/Informatikerin · FR informaticien/informaticienne
ICT intelligent systems designer · DE Entwickler intelligenter IT-Systeme/Entwicklerin intelligenter IT-Systeme · FR concepteur de systèmes intelligents/conceptrice de systèmes intelligents

Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)

Cyber security professionals (2135)91,200 employed
Research and development (R&D) managers (2161)86,200 employed
Natural and social science professionals n.e.c. (2119)36,500 employed

Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.

Pay across Europe, for the whole group

Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.

Median annual earnings, Professionals, by country
Country	Median pay
Belgium	€61,714
Germany	€59,529
Ireland	€56,877
Austria	€55,374
Netherlands	€53,595
Sweden	€43,567
France	€41,515
Spain	€35,735
Italy	€33,649
Portugal	€26,072
Poland	€14,380

Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.

Is it a fit for you?

Interest is one input, alongside ability, pay and what is hiring near you. The career interests test takes about thirteen minutes and ranks occupations by how closely their profile matches yours.

Take the career interests test