MERCK SHARP & DOHME H-1B Visa Sponsorship & Salary Data
MERCK SHARP & DOHME has filed 785 H-1B labor condition applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026, with 751 certified. The median H-1B salary at MERCK SHARP & DOHME is $111,400, which is 7% lower than the national H-1B median of $120,000.
Salary Analysis
Salary Range
- 10th percentile: $76,814
- 25th percentile: $94,300
- Median: $111,400
- 75th percentile: $130,960
- 90th percentile: $146,453
Wage Level Distribution
- Level I (Entry): 76 (10%)
- Level II (Qualified): 326 (44%)
- Level III (Experienced): 245 (33%)
- Level IV (Expert): 101 (14%)
Trend (2020-2026)
- Starting median: $93,038
- Current median: $131,082
- Growth: +41%
Salary & Hiring Visualizations
Salary Distribution
Distribution of H-1B salaries at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
MERCK SHARP & DOHME's H-1B salaries range from $76,814 to $146,453 (10th-90th percentile), with a median of $111,400. This is comparable to the national H-1B median.
Wage Level Distribution
DOL wage levels affect H-1B lottery priority
MERCK SHARP & DOHME files 90% of H-1B positions at Level II or higher. Higher wage levels receive priority in the H-1B lottery, giving MERCK SHARP & DOHME candidates a competitive advantage.
Median Salary Trend
Year-over-year salary changes
MERCK SHARP & DOHME's median H-1B salary increased by +41% from FY 2020 ($93,038) to FY 2026 ($131,082). This strong growth reflects competitive compensation adjustments.
H-1B Filings by Year
Annual hiring activity through H-1B program
MERCK SHARP & DOHME's H-1B filings changed by -84% from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This may reflect changes in hiring strategy or workforce composition.
Salary by Job Title
Top roles by filing volume, showing salary distribution
The highest-volume H-1B role at MERCK SHARP & DOHME is Senior Research Scientist with 271 filings at $107,600 median salary.
Salary by Location
Salary distribution across office locations (sorted by median)
MERCK SHARP & DOHME's largest H-1B hub is Rahway, NJ with 308 filings. The highest-paying location is Rahway, NJ at $114,700 median.
Highest Paying H-1B Roles at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
Ranked by median salary — Unlike "Salary by Job Title" above which shows the most common roles by filing volume, this section ranks all H-1B positions by their median compensation to highlight the best-paying opportunities.
These are the top 10 highest-paying H-1B job titles at MERCK SHARP & DOHME, ranked by median salary. The highest-paying role is Principal Research Scientist at $161,595 median, which is 45% above the company's overall H-1B median of $111,400.
High-paying H-1B roles typically require advanced technical expertise, specialized domain knowledge, or significant leadership responsibility. Factors influencing top-tier compensation include years of experience, educational credentials (PhD, Master's degrees), rare skill combinations, and market demand for specific technologies. The salary distribution chart below each role shows how compensation varies—wider distributions indicate more salary negotiation flexibility, while narrow peaks suggest standardized pay bands. Senior and principal-level positions consistently command premium salaries due to their strategic impact and scarcity of qualified candidates.
Principal Research Scientist
21 H-1B filings at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
Associate Principal Scientist, Statistical Programming
47 H-1B filings at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
Senior Data Scientist
30 H-1B filings at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
Associate Principal Scientist, Biostatistics
33 H-1B filings at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
Senior Research Scientist
271 H-1B filings at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
Research Scientist
21 H-1B filings at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
Salary data based on 751 certified H-1B labor condition applications at MERCK SHARP & DOHME. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, specific role requirements, and location within the company.
Highest Individual H-1B Salaries at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
Actual filed salaries — These are the 10 highest individual H-1B salary filings at MERCK SHARP & DOHME, representing specific positions (not aggregated medians). These may include executive, highly specialized, or senior leadership roles.
The highest H-1B salary filed at MERCK SHARP & DOHME was $359,800 for a Data Scientist position in Rahway, NJ (FY2024). This is 223% higher than the company's median H-1B salary.
Top H-1B salaries often cluster in high cost-of-living metros like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle where prevailing wages are higher. However, executive and specialized roles can command premium compensation regardless of location. These filings represent the upper bound of H-1B compensation at MERCK SHARP & DOHME—actual total compensation may be significantly higher when including stock grants, bonuses, and benefits. Geographic patterns in top salaries often reflect where companies locate their most senior technical talent and leadership positions.
| Rank | Job Title | Location | Salary | Level | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Data Scientist | Rahway, NJ | $359,800 | IV | FY 2024 |
| 2 | Executive Director, Medical Affairs Onc | Rahway, NJ | $276,600 | IV | FY 2025 |
| 3 | Executive Director, D&A Strategy | Rahway, NJ | $243,500 | IV | FY 2025 |
| 4 | Executive Director, Medical Affairs Oncology | Kenilworth, NJ | $208,000 | III | FY 2022 |
| 5 | Associate Principal Scientist, Outcomes Research | Rahway, NJ | $205,067 | IV | FY 2024 |
| 6 | Director, IT Account Management | Rahway, NJ | $201,323 | III | FY 2022 |
| 7 | Director, Strategic Planning | North Wales, PA | $196,539 | III | FY 2025 |
| 8 | Director, Global Data Strategy & Business Architecture | Kenilworth, NJ | $196,000 | III | FY 2020 |
| 9 | Data Scientist | Kenilworth, NJ | $193,440 | IV | FY 2023 |
| 10 | Director, D&A Strategy | Rahway, NJ | $193,440 | IV | FY 2023 |
These represent the highest individual salary amounts filed in H-1B labor condition applications. Note: H-1B salary data reflects base compensation only and does not include stock options, RSUs, bonuses, or other benefits which can significantly increase total compensation at tech companies.
Detailed Breakdown
H-1B Job Titles at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Research Scientist | 271 | $107,600 |
| Associate Principal Scientist, Statistical Programming | 47 | $135,500 |
| Associate Principal Scientist, Biostatistics | 33 | $109,824 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 30 | $122,800 |
| Principal Research Scientist | 21 | $161,595 |
| Research Scientist | 21 | $91,600 |
H-1B Locations for MERCK SHARP & DOHME
| Location | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Rahway, NJ | 308 | $114,700 |
| North Wales, PA | 164 | $110,302 |
| West Point, PA | 110 | $107,600 |
| Kenilworth, NJ | 58 | $108,763 |
| Boston, MA | 27 | $91,458 |
| Branchburg, NJ | 19 | $114,962 |
| Elkton, VA | 10 | $97,680 |
| Austin, TX | 7 | $115,850 |
| Cambridge, MA | 7 | $122,800 |
| South San Francisco, CA | 6 | $76,461 |
Recent H-1B Filings at MERCK SHARP & DOHME
Sample of 20 recent certified H-1B labor condition applications. This represents a small fraction of MERCK SHARP & DOHME's 751 total certified filings.
| Job Title | Location | Salary | Level | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Principal Scientist, Chemistry | Rahway, NJ | $156,000 | III | FY 2026 |
| Senior Research Scientist | North Wales, PA | $114,700 | II | FY 2026 |
| Senior Research Scientist | North Wales, PA | $114,700 | II | FY 2026 |
| Associate Principal Scientist, Engineering | Rahway, NJ | $139,600 | III | FY 2026 |
| Research Scientist | Quincy, MA | $94,300 | I | FY 2026 |
| Associate Principal Scientist, Biostatistics | North Wales, PA | $139,600 | III | FY 2026 |
| Associate Principal Scientist, Statistical Programming | North Wales, PA | $139,600 | IV | FY 2026 |
| Senior Specialist, D&A Strategy | North Wales, PA | $129,709 | II | FY 2026 |
| Director, Statistical Programming | North Wales, PA | $187,000 | IV | FY 2026 |
| Director, Data Analysis | Rahway, NJ | $187,000 | IV | FY 2026 |
| Senior Data Scientist | Rahway, NJ | $126,500 | II | FY 2026 |
| Senior Research Scientist | Rahway, NJ | $114,700 | IV | FY 2026 |
| Senior Software Engineer | North Wales, PA | $131,997 | II | FY 2026 |
| Senior Research Scientist | Rahway, NJ | $114,700 | II | FY 2026 |
| Data Scientist | Cambridge, MA | $131,082 | II | FY 2026 |
| Senior Research Scientist | Rahway, NJ | $114,700 | III | FY 2026 |
| Senior Specialist, Engineering | West Point, PA | $111,400 | III | FY 2025 |
| Senior Data Scientist | Pittsburgh, PA | $122,800 | II | FY 2025 |
| Senior Software Engineer | Rahway, NJ | $127,719 | N/A | FY 2025 |
| Executive Director, D&A Strategy | Rahway, NJ | $243,500 | IV | FY 2025 |
Data source: U.S. Department of Labor LCA Disclosure Files. Showing most recent certified filings.
Frequently Asked Questions about MERCK SHARP & DOHME H-1B Visas
What is the average H-1B salary at MERCK SHARP & DOHME?
The median H-1B salary at MERCK SHARP & DOHME is $111,400, based on 751 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 7% lower than the national H-1B median salary of $120,000. Compensation at MERCK SHARP & DOHME reflects their market positioning, with entry-level roles starting around $94,300 and senior positions reaching $146,453 or higher. These figures represent base salaries in LCA filings and may not include bonuses, equity grants, or other compensation common at large employers.
Salaries at MERCK SHARP & DOHME range from $76,814 at the 10th percentile to $146,453 at the 90th percentile, showing a $69,639 spread across experience levels and roles. The 25th percentile is $94,300 and the 75th percentile is $130,960.
Does MERCK SHARP & DOHME sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, MERCK SHARP & DOHME actively sponsors H-1B visas and has been a consistent participant in the H-1B program. They have filed 785 H-1B labor condition applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026, demonstrating ongoing commitment to hiring international talent. With 751 certified applications and a 0% denial rate, MERCK SHARP & DOHME maintains a strong track record for H-1B sponsorship. The company sponsors positions across multiple job categories and locations, making them a viable option for professionals seeking H-1B visa sponsorship.
In the most recent fiscal year (FY 2026), MERCK SHARP & DOHME filed 16 H-1B applications, with 16 certified and 0 denied. Over 7 years of data, MERCK SHARP & DOHME has consistently demonstrated commitment to H-1B sponsorship.
Note: These are Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the Department of Labor, which is a prerequisite for H-1B petitions. The actual number of H-1B petitions filed with USCIS may differ.
What is MERCK SHARP & DOHME's H-1B approval rate?
MERCK SHARP & DOHME's LCA (Labor Condition Application) denial rate is 0%, with 0 out of 785 applications denied across all years. This translates to a 100.0% certification rate, which indicates how successfully the company prepares and files H-1B applications. A lower denial rate suggests better compliance with Department of Labor requirements, proper wage documentation, and accurate job classification. Prospective H-1B applicants should consider this approval rate alongside other factors like salary, job role, and location when evaluating MERCK SHARP & DOHME as a potential H-1B sponsor.
This is an excellent approval rate, indicating MERCK SHARP & DOHME has strong H-1B sponsorship practices and typically meets DOL requirements. Applicants can feel confident in the company's H-1B track record.
What jobs does MERCK SHARP & DOHME sponsor for H-1B?
MERCK SHARP & DOHME sponsors H-1B visas for various specialty occupation positions requiring at least a bachelor's degree. Based on 751 certified filings, the most commonly sponsored job titles reflect the company's primary business functions and talent needs. These positions typically require specialized knowledge in fields like technology, engineering, finance, or scientific research. Understanding which roles MERCK SHARP & DOHME most frequently sponsors can help job seekers target their applications effectively.
Most common H-1B job titles at MERCK SHARP & DOHME:
The most frequently sponsored role is Senior Research Scientist with 271 filings at a median salary of $107,600. This is followed by Associate Principal Scientist, Statistical Programming (47 filings) and Associate Principal Scientist, Biostatistics.
Where are MERCK SHARP & DOHME's H-1B jobs located?
MERCK SHARP & DOHME's H-1B positions are distributed across multiple U.S. locations, with concentration in major metropolitan areas and tech hubs. Geographic distribution often reflects company office locations, client sites, and regional market demands. Location significantly impacts H-1B salary due to varying cost of living and local wage requirements. Understanding where MERCK SHARP & DOHME sponsors H-1B workers can help candidates target specific offices and negotiate appropriate compensation for each market.
Top MERCK SHARP & DOHME H-1B locations:
Circle size indicates relative H-1B filing volume
The largest H-1B hub for MERCK SHARP & DOHME is Rahway, NJ with 308 filings at a median salary of $114,700. The highest-paying location is Cambridge, MA at $122,800 median. Salaries range from $76,461 to $122,800 across office locations.
How have MERCK SHARP & DOHME's H-1B salaries changed over time?
MERCK SHARP & DOHME's median H-1B salary has increased by +41% from FY 2020 ($93,038) to FY 2026 ($131,082). Tracking salary trends over time reveals how MERCK SHARP & DOHME adjusts compensation to remain competitive in the H-1B labor market. Salary growth typically reflects inflation adjustments, increased demand for specialized skills, and evolving prevailing wage requirements. These historical trends can help applicants understand future salary expectations and negotiate appropriately when considering H-1B opportunities at MERCK SHARP & DOHME.
Year-by-year breakdown:
- FY 2022: $99,507 (127 certified)
- FY 2023: $118,640 (127 certified)
- FY 2024: $111,400 (145 certified)
- FY 2025: $122,800 (140 certified)
- FY 2026: $131,082 (16 certified)
This 41% growth reflects strong compensation adjustments at MERCK SHARP & DOHME, keeping pace with market demands for H-1B talent.
What wage level does MERCK SHARP & DOHME use for H-1B?
MERCK SHARP & DOHME primarily files H-1B applications at Wage Level II, accounting for 44% of their filings. DOL wage levels range from Level I (entry-level, 17th percentile of local wages) to Level IV (expert, 67th percentile). Wage level determines both salary requirements and, under recent H-1B rules, lottery selection priority. Higher wage levels receive preference in the H-1B lottery, making MERCK SHARP & DOHME's wage level distribution an important factor for prospective applicants assessing their chances of H-1B selection.
With 90% of positions at Level II or higher, MERCK SHARP & DOHME typically offers competitive wages above entry-level. Higher wage levels receive priority in the H-1B lottery.
How does MERCK SHARP & DOHME's H-1B salary compare to other employers?
MERCK SHARP & DOHME's median H-1B salary of $111,400 is 7% lower than the national H-1B median of $120,000 across all employers and industries. This comparison provides context for evaluating MERCK SHARP & DOHME's competitiveness in attracting H-1B talent. Keep in mind that industry, location, and job function significantly impact salary levels. Tech companies and financial institutions typically offer higher H-1B salaries than other sectors, while salaries in major metros like San Francisco and New York exceed those in smaller markets. Compare MERCK SHARP & DOHME's offerings with similar companies in your field for a more accurate assessment.
MERCK SHARP & DOHME's H-1B salaries are competitive with industry averages. The 751 total filings indicate active H-1B sponsorship.
How do new H-1B fees and rules affect MERCK SHARP & DOHME's sponsorship?
Recent H-1B rule changes have increased filing fees and introduced wage-level prioritization in the lottery. MERCK SHARP & DOHME files 10% of positions at Level I, which may face more lottery competition under wage-level prioritization rules.
With 751 certified filings, MERCK SHARP & DOHME invests significantly in H-1B sponsorship. The company's 0% denial rate suggests strong compliance with H-1B requirements and documentation standards.
Note: H-1B regulations are subject to change. Fees shown are estimates based on 2024 USCIS fee schedules. Actual costs may vary based on company size, premium processing, and future rule changes.
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