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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Associate Research Associate H-1B Salary in Boulder, CO

Employers have filed 154 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Associate Research Associate positions in Boulder, CO, with a median salary of $65,000. That's 8% higher than the national Associate Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000 across all U.S. locations, and 39% lower than the Boulder, CO all-roles H-1B median of $106,400. Associate Research Associate ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Boulder, CO.

Headline numbers for Associate Research Associate H-1B roles in Boulder, CO, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,019 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Associate Research Associate hiring.

$65,000
Median Salary
154
Certified Filings
$54,000
10th Percentile
$78,000
90th Percentile

Associate Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Boulder, CO

The pay distribution for this role spans $24,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $58,710 and $71,365, the interquartile range where most experienced Associate Research Associates land. The median of $65,000 sits 8% higher than the national Associate Research Associate H-1B median.

10th percentile
$54,000
25th percentile
$58,710
Median
$65,000
75th percentile
$71,365
90th percentile
$78,000
Middle 50% of Associate Research Associate H-1B salaries in Boulder, CO: $58,710 to $71,365

Top Employers Hiring Associate Research Associates in Boulder, CO

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Associate Research Associate in Boulder, CO, with 150 certified filings (97% of local Associate Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $65,000. Among the top sponsors, HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $74,263. The pay spread across top employers is 22%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 22% ($60,715 at SPACE SCIENCE INSTITUTE to $74,263 at HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE)

Employer Filings Median Salary
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO 150 $65,000
SPACE SCIENCE INSTITUTE 2 $60,715
HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE 2 $74,263

How This Salary Compares

Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Associate Research Associate H-1B median across every U.S. location — a measure of how local cost-of-living and market demand shift pay up or down. The second is the all-roles H-1B median in Boulder, CO, which tells you whether Associate Research Associate pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Associate Research Associate
+8%
8% higher than the national Associate Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000.
vs. Boulder, CO Average
-39%
39% lower than the overall H-1B median in Boulder, CO ($106,400).

Associate Research Associate H-1B Salaries in Other Cities

The other top metros where Associate Research Associate is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (569) outside Boulder, CO. The highest median among these is Oak Ridge, TN at $78,288. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
New York, NY 569 $67,218
Cambridge, MA 509 $66,950
Pittsburgh, PA 494 $57,456
Memphis, TN 488 $70,013
Princeton, NJ 466 $65,000
Ithaca, NY 345 $60,000
Durham, NC 344 $57,846
New Haven, CT 314 $60,000
College Station, TX 294 $51,000
Oak Ridge, TN 283 $78,288

Other H-1B Jobs in Boulder, CO

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boulder, CO, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Associate Research Associate role here (325 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $149,700.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 325 $127,338
Senior Software Engineer 117 $130,000
Staff Software Engineer 71 $139,000
Assistant Professor 70 $107,000
Software Engineer II 70 $149,700
Research Scientist I 51 $96,000

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Associate Research Associate in Boulder, CO is $65,000, based on 154 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 8% higher than the national Associate Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 39% lower than the overall H-1B median of $106,400 in Boulder, CO across all job titles.

Salaries span a $24,000 range from the 10th percentile ($54,000) to the 90th percentile ($78,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $58,710 and $71,365, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boulder, CO, with 150 certified filings at a median salary of $65,000. Among the top employers, HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $74,263. The pay spread across top employers is 22%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Associate Research Associate H-1B roles in Boulder, CO, answered directly from 154 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Every answer below cites the specific data point it's based on.

What is the average Associate Research Associate salary in Boulder, CO?

The median H-1B salary for Associate Research Associate positions in Boulder, CO is $65,000, based on 154 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$54,000
25th percentile
$58,710
Median
$65,000
75th percentile
$71,365
90th percentile
$78,000

The salary distribution for Associate Research Associate roles in Boulder, CO shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $54,000, while the 90th percentile earns $78,000. This $24,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Associate Research Associate salaries in Boulder, CO are 50% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Associate Research Associates in Boulder, CO?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Associate Research Associate positions in Boulder, CO are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Associate Research Associate roles specifically in Boulder, CO. UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO leads with 150 filings at a median salary of $65,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $60,715 to $74,263.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Associate Research Associate in Boulder, CO?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Associate Research Associate in Boulder, CO, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 154 H-1B positions for Associate Research Associates in Boulder, CO have been certified, indicating strong demand for this role. The top sponsors listed above have a track record of successful H-1B sponsorship for this position.