Computer and Information Research Scientists build complex problem solving, judgment and decision making and systems analysis skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Mathematicians (86%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathematicians | 86% | $126,710 | −10% | None |
| 2 | Data Scientists | 84% | $120,230 | −14% | None |
| 3 | Physicists | 80% | $172,250 | +23% | None |
| 4 | Computer Hardware Engineers | 77% | $161,740 | +15% | None |
| 5 | Astronomers | 76% | $128,820 | −8% | None |
| 6 | Microsystems Engineers | 76% | $122,930Pay for the broader BLS group “Engineers, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 7 | Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | 75% | $122,570Pay for the broader BLS group “Physical Scientists, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 8 | Statisticians | 74% | $105,650 | −25% | None |
| 9 | Bioinformatics Scientists | 74% | $98,920Pay for the broader BLS group “Biological Scientists, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 10 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists | 73% | $130,220Pay for the broader BLS group “Electronics Engineers, Except Computer” | Not compared | None |
Compared with Computer and Information Research Scientists, median $140,300. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as computer and information research scientists (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
86% skill match · $126,710 · −10% pay
No work-context factor stands out as unusually hard in O*NET data.
84% skill match · $120,230 · −14% pay
80% skill match · $172,250 · +23% pay
Instructing · Complex Problem Solving · Equipment Maintenance
No work-context factor stands out as unusually hard in O*NET data.
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Mathematicians (86% skill match, median $126,710), Data Scientists (84% skill match, median $120,230) and Physicists (80% skill match, median $172,250), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 5 pay more than computer and information research scientists at the median. The biggest increases: Computer and Information Systems Managers (+25%, $175,140), Physicists (+23%, $172,250) and Natural Sciences Managers (+19%, $167,220).
25 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.