Role profile
Computer research scientist
Also called: Research scientist · Machine learning researcher · AI research scientist · Research engineer (overlaps) · Applied scientist (overlaps)
Computer research scientists invent and test new approaches to computing problems, such as better machine learning methods, faster algorithms, new programming languages or more secure systems. They are hired by large tech companies, research labs, universities and the federal government.
- Median pay, 2025
- $140,300
- $82,200 to $230,630 (10th to 90th percentile)
- US jobs, 2025
- 38,600
- Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Outlook, 2025-35
- +22%
- Much faster than average
- Typical entry
- Master's degree
- No prior experience required
What the work looks like
- Read recent papers in a narrow area and work out which open problem is worth months of effort.
- Design experiments, write the code to run them and spend a lot of time debugging why results do not match expectations.
- Run training jobs or simulations on shared compute and manage limited GPU or cluster time.
- Analyze results with real statistical care, including the runs that failed.
- Write papers, internal reports and patent disclosures, and present work to peers and product teams.
- Work with engineers to turn a promising prototype into something a product team can ship.
- Review other researchers' papers and mentor interns or junior researchers.
How people get in
The BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry requirement, and many industry research labs prefer a Ph.D. In practice the Ph.D. matters most for roles where you set your own research agenda; research engineer and applied scientist roles are more open to people with a master's and strong engineering skills.
The federal government is the main exception on education, with some research jobs open to people with a bachelor's degree in a computer field. Specialized areas can also need domain knowledge: biomedical computing, for example, may call for coursework in biology.
What gets you hired is evidence of research ability: published or open-sourced work, a thesis, strong recommendations from advisors, and code that others can reproduce. Internships at research labs during graduate school are the most common way in.
Skills employers ask for
- Python
- PyTorch or JAX
- Linear algebra, probability and statistics
- Algorithm design and analysis
- Experiment design and evaluation
- C++ or another systems language
- GPU and cluster computing basics
- LaTeX and scientific writing
- Git
- Reading and reproducing research papers
Outlook to 2035
The BLS projects 22% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, driven by demand for new technology and ongoing AI research. It is still a small occupation, with about 2,900 openings a year, so competition for top research roles is stiff and the graduate degree requirement is real. Growth figures say little about how concentrated hiring is among a few large employers and labs.
How the pay compares
Computer research scientist highlighted against the other 13 roles we track.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Research Scientists. Pay is 2025 median annual wage; outlook is projected employment change 2025-35.