Computer and Information Research Scientists vs Information Security Analysts: 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 $16,000 more per year than Information Security Analysts professionals — that's 12.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer and Information Research Scientists earns $232,120 compared to $186,420 for Information Security Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
Information Security Analysts$69,660 – $186,420
$69,660$232,120
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Information Security Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $80,670 | $69,660 | +$11,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,710 | $92,160 | +$10,550 |
| Median (50th) | $140,910 | $124,910 | +$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $181,210 | $159,600 | +$21,610 |
| 90th Percentile | $232,120 | $186,420 | +$45,700 |
| Mean (Average) | $152,310 | $127,730 | +$24,580 |
Employment Numbers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
38,480
employed nationwide
Information Security Analysts
179,430
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 Information Security Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $175,520 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,160 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $152,660 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $138,410 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer and Information Research Scientists or Information Security Analysts?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,000 (12.8% 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 Information Security Analysts?
Information Security Analysts salaries range from $69,660 (10th percentile) to $186,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $124,910.
How many Computer and Information Research Scientists and Information Security Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 38,480 Computer and Information Research Scientists positions and 179,430 Information Security Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Information Security Analysts 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 Information Security Analysts earns $124,910. 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