Career Trends: Computer and Information Research Scientists

Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, medicine, science, and other fields.

Most computer and information research scientists work full time. About 1 in 10 worked more than 40 hours per week in 2014.

Most jobs for computer and information research scientists require a Ph.D. in computer science or a related field. In the federal government, a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some jobs.

Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Computer scientists are likely to enjoy excellent job prospects, because many companies report difficulties finding these highly skilled workers.

This occupation supported 26,700 jobs in 2012 and 25,600 jobs in 2014, reflecting a decline of 4.1%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 15.4% in 2022 to 30,800 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 27,500, compared with an observed value of 25,600, 6.9% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 10.1% in 2024 to 28,300 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 31,600 jobs for 2024, 11.7% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.