Computer Scientist job description: duties, skills and qualifications.

Core duties

11

O*NET task statements

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

extensive preparation

Typical entry education

Master's degree

BLS 2025–35

Median pay

$140,300

BLS May 2025

Data Government data groups this job as Computer and Information Research Scientists (O*NET-SOC 15-1221.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software. importance 4.2 of 5
2. Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses. importance 3.9 of 5
3. Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals. importance 3.8 of 5
4. Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems. importance 3.6 of 5
5. Design computers and the software that runs them. importance 3.6 of 5
6. Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers. importance 3.6 of 5
7. Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues. importance 3.5 of 5
8. Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics. importance 3.4 of 5
9. Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements. importance 3.4 of 5
10. Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures. importance 3.2 of 5
11. Develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards. importance 3.1 of 5

Work activities O*NET rates most important here: Working with Computers, Making Decisions and Solving Problems, Getting Information, Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge and Analyzing Data or Information.

Also part of the job

Supplemental tasks O*NET lists for this occupation: less central than the core duties above, and not done in every job.

• Maintain network hardware and software, direct network security measures, and monitor networks to ensure availability to system users.
• Direct daily operations of departments, coordinating project activities with other departments.
• Participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates.
• Approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets.

Knowledge areas: Computers and Electronics, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, English Language and Administration and Management.

Software O*NET lists for this occupation: Ansible software, Apache Hadoop, Docker, Git, GitHub, Grafana Labs Grafana Cloud. These are examples O*NET records for the job, not a list of tools every employer uses or a checklist of what you must know.

• Education: BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education.
• Experience: BLS lists no work experience in a related occupation as typical to enter.
• Training on the job: BLS lists no typical on-the-job training once hired.
• Preparation: O*NET places the job in Job Zone 5 of 5 (extensive preparation). Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations.
• Licenses and certifications: not listed here. A license is a legal requirement set by a state; a certification is a credential from a private or professional body. Rules vary by state and employer, and a missing entry on this page does not mean none is required: check with your state's licensing board and see how to become a computer scientist.

Job title: Computer Scientist
[Company] · [City, State] · [Full-time or part-time] · [Pay range, where your state requires one]

About the role
[Company] is hiring a Computer Scientist to conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors.
[One sentence on your team and why this role matters.]

What you will 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.
- Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.
- Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.

What we are looking for
- [Education: BLS lists a master's degree as typical for this occupation; set the level this role truly needs]
- [Experience: BLS lists no related work experience as typical to enter; set what this role needs]
- Strength in complex problem solving, judgment and decision making and critical thinking
- Working knowledge of Computers and Electronics and Mathematics
- [Software your team uses, e.g. Ansible software or Apache Hadoop]
- [Any license or certification your state or company requires]

[Schedule, benefits and how to apply]

Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.

Not a real job posting. This template is TryHired's illustration built from government occupational data. It is not an opening at any employer, and no employer wrote it.

The median annual wage was $140,300 in May 2025. The median hourly wage was $67.45. BLS estimates about 37,200 jobs in this occupation in the U.S.

BLS projects employment of Computer and Information Research Scientists to grow 21.8% from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,900 openings a year over that period, including openings to replace workers who leave.

See the full computer scientist salary breakdown by percentile, state and metro.

• Read a real computer scientist posting next to the core duties above. Duties it repeats, such as “Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and…”, tell you what that employer weighs most; anything it adds is specific to that team.
• Tailor your resume to the posting, not to this page: describe only computer scientist work you have actually done, with your own results.
• Prepare a story for each of the top-rated skills (complex problem solving and judgment and decision making).