Pharma & Biotech H-1B Salary Comparison
Compare H-1B visa salaries at leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies: Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, AbbVie, Amgen, Genentech, Regeneron, Gilead, Moderna, and Biogen.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Company | Median Salary | P10 | P90 | Filings | Denial Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB | $143,222 | $110,000 | $185,000 | 1,419 | 0% |
| REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS | $142,656 | $95,000 | $200,000 | 1,064 | 0% |
| ABBVIE | $132,000 | $93,500 | $177,000 | 1,270 | 0% |
| GILEAD SCIENCES | $130,437 | $95,888 | $185,523 | 1,476 | 0.3% |
| GENENTECH | $129,584 | $95,800 | $177,300 | 871 | 0.1% |
| AMGEN | $128,489 | $88,450 | $165,000 | 2,022 | 0.1% |
| ELI LILLY AND | $128,422 | $86,016 | $185,000 | 1,460 | 0% |
| NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS | $128,378 | $89,731 | $176,218 | 644 | 0% |
| JOHNSON & JOHNSON | $125,000 | $98,250 | $190,000 | 22 | 0% |
| BIOGEN | $115,000 | $76,939 | $158,000 | 505 | 0% |
| MERCK SHARP & DOHME | $114,171 | $78,333 | $149,822 | 840 | 0% |
| MODERNA | $110,000 | $78,000 | $156,607 | 70 | 0% |
| PFIZER | $99,900 | $77,834 | $146,500 | 441 | 0% |
Salary Range Comparison
Bar shows 10th-90th percentile range. Green line indicates median.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which pharmaceutical company pays the highest H-1B salaries?
Among major pharma and biotech companies, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB offers the highest median H-1B salary at $143,222. Biotech companies often pay premiums for specialized scientific and research talent, particularly in areas like immunology, oncology, and gene therapy.
The 90th percentile at top pharma companies can exceed $200,000, reflecting compensation for senior research scientists, medical directors, and specialized roles in drug development.
How do pharma H-1B salaries compare to tech companies?
Pharma and biotech companies offer competitive H-1B salaries, with an average median around $125,174. This is comparable to major tech companies, and often higher for specialized scientific roles.
Unlike tech, pharma H-1B positions often require advanced degrees (PhD, MD) in life sciences, which contributes to higher base salaries. Roles in clinical development, regulatory affairs, and research science are particularly well-compensated.
Note: H-1B salary data reflects base compensation only. Tech companies often provide substantial additional compensation through stock options, RSUs, and bonuses that can add 30-100%+ to total compensation. Pharma companies typically offer more modest equity but may have stronger bonus structures and benefits.
What types of H-1B roles do pharma companies sponsor?
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies sponsor H-1B visas for a variety of scientific and technical roles:
- Research Scientists and Principal Scientists
- Clinical Research Associates and Managers
- Biostatisticians and Data Scientists
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists
- Medical Science Liaisons
- Process Development Engineers
- Computational Biologists
These 13 companies have sponsored 12,104 H-1B positions, reflecting strong demand for international scientific talent in the pharmaceutical industry.