SalaryByCity

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Computer and Information Research Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

$49,670

Median annual salary

688,840 employed nationally

Computer and Information Research Scientists

$140,910

Median annual salary

38,480 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn $91,240 more per year than Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals — that's 183.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $232,120 for Computer and Information Research Scientists.

Salary Range Comparison

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
$33,660$232,120

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsComputer and Information Research ScientistsDifference
10th Percentile$33,660$80,670$-47,010
25th Percentile$38,140$102,710$-64,570
Median (50th)$49,670$140,910$-91,240
75th Percentile$65,660$181,210$-115,550
90th Percentile$80,850$232,120$-151,270
Mean (Average)$55,260$152,310$-97,050

Employment Numbers

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

688,840

employed nationwide

Computer and Information Research Scientists

38,480

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$77,260
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$74,590
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$64,930
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$63,590
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$62,970

Best Cities for Computer and Information Research Scientists

CityMedian
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: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $91,240 (183.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Computer and Information Research Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 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 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 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