Accountants and Auditors vs Computer and Information Research Scientists: 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 $59,230 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 72.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $232,120 for Computer and Information Research Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
$52,780$232,120
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $80,670 | $-27,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $102,710 | $-38,050 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $140,910 | $-59,230 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $181,210 | $-74,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $232,120 | $-90,700 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $152,310 | $-58,790 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Computer and Information Research Scientists
38,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $59,230 (72.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
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.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Computer and Information Research Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 38,480 Computer and Information Research Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer and Information Research Scientists to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Computer and Information Research Scientists earns $140,910. 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