Computer Science Salary: Your 2024 Guide

Let’s look at computer scientists' salaries and the various factors that can influence them, such as education level, location, and certifications.

What does a computer scientist do?

Computer scientists are experts in working with computers and technology. They study how data is processed, stored, and communicated to apply it to software and programs. 

What jobs are available for a computer scientist?

Computer scientists work as computer hardware engineers in computer programming, research, analytics, and information security, to name a few. Jobs in the computer science field cover a vast spectrum, as technology accounts for such a large part of our lives.

Computer scientists automate systems, create the processes in our smartphones, and fly us to the moon. Given these accomplishments, the possibilities are nearly endless. Since computers are used in almost every business, typical employers are information technology (IT) service providers. There are opportunities in IT departments in virtually all significant organisations in financial services, aerospace and defence, and manufacturing sectors. 

How much do computer science professionals make?

Glassdoor reports the average annual salary of computer scientists as ₹27,88,827 [1]. Additional compensation from bonuses, profit sharing, and other sources may range from ₹2,75,985 to   ₹3,01,668 [1]. 

Here are some other roles and median salaries that computer scientists may work in:

*All salaries are sourced from Glassdoor and are accurate as of April 2024.

• Computer programmers: ₹2,88,000 per year

• Database developers: ₹6,00,00 per year 

• Computer systems analysts: ₹6,18,000 per year 

• Information security analysts: ₹10,62,817 per year

• Computer network architects: ₹6,26,988 per year

Factors affecting salary

Factors such as your industry experience, training, and location will influence a computer scientist's salary. Consider looking into the following to maximise your earnings:

Education

A degree in computer science or a related field is often a prerequisite for most positions and may optimise your chances of getting hired. 

However, a computer science degree is only sometimes required to become a computer scientist. Experience is valued highly in this fast-paced, evolving discipline. It’s also important to keep up with trends and engage in self-directed learning. A degree will generally put you in a better position to gain a more technical or specialist role.

Certifications

Additional certifications in computer science can help you enter specialist positions, which often come with a higher earning potential. You can pursue several certifications, including vendor-specific ones from Microsoft and Cisco. Companies using these systems may ask for these certifications. 

Another option is a vendor-neutral certificate from organisations like CompTIA and ISC. Vendor-neutral certifications can help you progress your career across companies rather than being limited to a particular vendor. 

To maximise your salary in computer science without a degree, consider an entry-level Professional Certificate as a starting point.

Type of position

A host of industries seek computer scientists and other computer science professionals. Any company with a tech department will likely need a computer scientist or similar, so where you work is very flexible. However, not all industries are equal when it comes to salary. Common sectors include financial services, telecommunications, retail, manufacturing and aerospace.

Company

Computer science salaries vary by employer, industry, company size, and expertise.   

Smaller firms with lower budgets tend to have wages that reflect it. A small company with a smaller budget will likely prioritise positions most important to their organisation. Rather than a whole IT department, a smaller company may have a CTO with multiple roles until it has the budget to recruit more people. 

Location

In many industries, where you live and work can impact your earnings. Computer scientist salaries in India vary quite a bit. In Bangalore, the average salary is ₹40,57,164 [2] annually, but those working in Pune earn an average of ₹9,40,000 [3]. When looking at average salaries, if moving, check out housing rental prices and other cost-of-living indicators to see if it’s worth pushing for a higher income. 

Next steps

To start as a computer scientist, explore a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science offered on Coursera. Consider a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of London to help put you on the path to higher-paid opportunities.

Suppose you have no experience in the field. In that case, as a starting point, consider taking a beginner-friendly option like the Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialisation from the University of London.