Associate Research Associate H-1B Salary in Cambridge, MA
Employers have filed 509 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Associate Research Associate positions in Cambridge, MA, with a median salary of $66,950. That's 12% higher than the national Associate Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000 across all U.S. locations, and 42% lower than the Cambridge, MA all-roles H-1B median of $115,000. Associate Research Associate ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Cambridge, MA.
Headline numbers for Associate Research Associate H-1B roles in Cambridge, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #456 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Associate Research Associate hiring.
Associate Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Cambridge, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $22,204 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $59,580 and $71,070, the interquartile range where most experienced Associate Research Associates land. The median of $66,950 sits 12% higher than the national Associate Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $55,596
- 25th percentile
- $59,580
- Median
- $66,950
- 75th percentile
- $71,070
- 90th percentile
- $77,800
Top Employers Hiring Associate Research Associates in Cambridge, MA
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Associate Research Associate in Cambridge, MA, with 410 certified filings (81% of local Associate Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $66,950. Among the top sponsors, HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $80,000. The pay spread across top employers is 38%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 38% ($58,000 at VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY to $80,000 at HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 410 | $66,950 |
| THE BROAD INSTITUTE | 81 | $70,000 |
| WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH | 9 | $75,000 |
| HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE | 6 | $80,000 |
| VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY | 1 | $58,000 |
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 Cambridge, MA, which tells you whether Associate Research Associate pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
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 Cambridge, MA. 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 |
| 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 |
| St. Louis, MO | 245 | $56,890 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Cambridge, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Cambridge, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Associate Research Associate role here (1,330 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $150,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 1,330 | $143,000 |
| Research Scientist | 1,264 | $108,000 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 605 | $122,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 488 | $150,000 |
| Research Scientist II | 437 | $115,828 |
| Research Associate | 314 | $67,000 |
| Senior Research Associate | 291 | $86,250 |
| Software Engineer II | 262 | $133,300 |
| Principal Research Associate | 247 | $69,216 |
| Research Scientist I | 230 | $97,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Associate Research Associate in Cambridge, MA is $66,950, based on 509 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 12% higher than the national Associate Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 42% lower than the overall H-1B median of $115,000 in Cambridge, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $22,204 range from the 10th percentile ($55,596) to the 90th percentile ($77,800). The middle 50% of workers earn between $59,580 and $71,070, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Cambridge, MA, with 410 certified filings at a median salary of $66,950. Among the top employers, HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $80,000. The pay spread across top employers is 38%, 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 Cambridge, MA, answered directly from 509 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 Cambridge, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Associate Research Associate positions in Cambridge, MA is $66,950, based on 509 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $55,596
- 25th percentile
- $59,580
- Median
- $66,950
- 75th percentile
- $71,070
- 90th percentile
- $77,800
The salary distribution for Associate Research Associate roles in Cambridge, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $55,596, while the 90th percentile earns $77,800. This $22,204 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 Cambridge, MA are 49% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Associate Research Associates in Cambridge, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Associate Research Associate positions in Cambridge, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Associate Research Associate roles specifically in Cambridge, MA. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY leads with 410 filings at a median salary of $66,950. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $58,000 to $80,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Associate Research Associate in Cambridge, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Associate Research Associate in Cambridge, MA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:
- Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
- The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
- Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
- If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work
Based on our data, 509 H-1B positions for Associate Research Associates in Cambridge, MA 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.