What they do
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
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Also called: |
Computer Scientist, Computer Specialist, Control System Computer Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientific Programmer Analyst
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Wages
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Vermont - 2021 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 30.30 |
$63,030 |
25% |
$ 36.49 |
$75,900 |
Median |
$ 49.20 |
$102,330 |
75% |
$ 73.53 |
$152,940 |
90% |
$ 73.53 |
$152,940 |
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Average |
$ 52.25 |
$108,680 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 39% |
- Federal government, excluding postal service
| 31% |
- Publishing industries (except Internet)
| 9% |
- Educational services; state, local, and private
| 6% |
| 4% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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- Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
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- Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
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- Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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- Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
Projected employment not available for Vermont but may be for the nation and other states at CareerOneStop |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Master's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Job Zone
Extensive Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(8.0 and above) - A typical worker will require
over 4 years up to and including 10 years or more
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level |  | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate |  | 36% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate |  | 20% |
Bachelor's degree |  | 36% |
Associate's degree |  | 0% |
Certificate or some college, no degree |  | 8% |
High school diploma or equivalent |  | 0% |
Less than high school diploma |  | 0% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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- Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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- Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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- Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
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- Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.
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- Assign duties or work schedules to employees.
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- Maintain computer hardware.
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- Monitor the performance of computer networks.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
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- Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
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- Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
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- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
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- Design computers and the software that runs them.
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More at O*NET |
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