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Boston Career Explorer

Computer and Mathematical

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

Compare with my current job (Judicial Law Clerks)
Median pay in Greater Boston
$170,510
$81.97/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
1,620
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+15.5%
130 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Master's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$77,160$119,920$170,510$216,180$249,910

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • 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.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure77 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 79
  • Language-model AIOE 73
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 80

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure is higher for this job, and observed AI use is substantial. AI tools can help with analyzing problems and with parts of designing software and hardware. Federal projections expect demand to grow as organizations seek new technologies, including AI. Creating new ideas, setting priorities, and working with managers and vendors still rely on people.

Likely to change

  • Analyzing problems and testing technical solutions
  • Drafting parts of software and designs

Still relies on people

  • Inventing new approaches to hard problems
  • Working with managers and vendors to solve issues

What federal projections say

“Demand change - share increases as demand for solutions to complex computing challenges and for developing new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), will support an increased demand for computer and information research scientists.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

74 programs near Boston (plus 58 graduate)

Related occupations

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