Jobs Similar to Computer and Information Research Scientists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to computer and information research scientists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Database Architects, Blockchain Engineers and Software Developers.
Computer and Information Research Scientists: $140,300 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Computer and Information Research Scientists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Database ArchitectsSame group | 82% | $139,500−1% | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Blockchain EngineersSame group | 82% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Software DevelopersSame group | 81% | $135,980−3% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Physicists | 80% | $172,250+23% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Data Warehousing SpecialistsSame group | 80% | $139,500Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Computer Network ArchitectsSame group | 80% | $134,050−4% | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Web DevelopersSame group | 80% | $92,650−34% | Training or associate |
| 8 | Computer Systems AnalystsSame group | 80% | $105,850−25% | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Data Scientists | 79% | $120,230−14% | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | 79% | $122,570Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Statisticians | 79% | $105,650−25% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Operations Research Analysts | 79% | $88,940−37% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Computer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsSame group | 79% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 14 | Computer ProgrammersSame group | 79% | $100,390−28% | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Bioinformatics Technicians | 79% | $81,490Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Bioinformatics Scientists | 78% | $98,920Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Database AdministratorsSame group | 78% | $104,620−25% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersSame group | 78% | $104,300−26% | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | 77% | $102,440Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Microsystems Engineers | 77% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
- 1Database Architects
82% similar · $139,500 (−1%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Blockchain Engineers
82% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Software Developers
81% similar · $135,980 (−3%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Physicists
80% similar · $172,250 (+23%) · Graduate degree
- 5Data Warehousing Specialists
80% similar · $139,500 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Computer Network Architects
80% similar · $134,050 (−4%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Web Developers
80% similar · $92,650 (−34%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 8Computer Systems Analysts
80% similar · $105,850 (−25%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 9Data Scientists
79% similar · $120,230 (−14%) · Bachelor's degree
- 10Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
79% similar · $122,570 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 11Statisticians
79% similar · $105,650 (−25%) · Graduate degree
- 12Operations Research Analysts
79% similar · $88,940 (−37%) · Graduate degree
- 13Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
79% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 14Computer Programmers
79% similar · $100,390 (−28%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 15Bioinformatics Technicians
79% similar · $81,490 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 16Bioinformatics Scientists
78% similar · $98,920 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 17Database Administrators
78% similar · $104,620 (−25%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
78% similar · $104,300 (−26%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 19Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
77% similar · $102,440 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 20Microsystems Engineers
77% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than computer and information research scientists.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Database Architects82% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Blockchain Engineers82% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Software Developers81% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Data Warehousing Specialists80% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Computer Network Architects80% similar · Bachelor's degree
- Web Developers80% similar · Training or associate
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for computer and information research scientists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs for former computer and information research scientists →
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where computer and information research scientists is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like computer and information research scientists
What jobs are most similar to computer and information research scientists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Database Architects (82% similar), Blockchain Engineers (82% similar), Software Developers (81% similar), Physicists (80% similar) and Data Warehousing Specialists (80% similar).
Which jobs like computer and information research scientists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Physicists ($172,250, +23%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with computer and information research scientists ($140,300). Without more preparation than computer and information research scientists usually need: Physicists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.