Data Scientist H-1B Salary in Foster City, CA
Employers have filed 115 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Data Scientist positions in Foster City, CA, with a median salary of $121,600. That's 1% lower than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $122,800 across all U.S. locations, and 11% lower than the Foster City, CA all-roles H-1B median of $137,000. Data Scientist ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from Foster City, CA.
Headline numbers for Data Scientist H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,806 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Data Scientist hiring.
Data Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Foster City, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $76,107 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $105,900 and $126,277, the interquartile range where most experienced Data Scientists land. The median of $121,600 sits 1% lower than the national Data Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $103,771
- 25th percentile
- $105,900
- Median
- $121,600
- 75th percentile
- $126,277
- 90th percentile
- $179,878
Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists in Foster City, CA
VISA U.S.A. is the largest H-1B sponsor for Data Scientist in Foster City, CA, with 66 certified filings (57% of local Data Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $110,600. Among the top sponsors, GILEAD SCIENCES pays the highest median at $186,846. The pay spread across top employers is 69%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 69% ($110,600 at VISA U.S.A. to $186,846 at GILEAD SCIENCES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| VISA U.S.A. | 66 | $110,600 |
| VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS | 11 | $121,600 |
| CYBERSOURCE | 6 | $121,600 |
| IBM | 4 | $122,900 |
| GILEAD SCIENCES | 4 | $186,846 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Data Scientist 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 Foster City, CA, which tells you whether Data Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Data Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Data Scientist is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (2,453) outside Foster City, CA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $176,618. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 2,453 | $140,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,498 | $150,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,250 | $176,618 |
| Mountain View, CA | 855 | $165,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 840 | $145,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 805 | $158,952 |
| Chicago, IL | 616 | $105,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 575 | $145,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 571 | $160,000 |
| Boston, MA | 508 | $114,100 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Foster City, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Foster City, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Data Scientist role here (506 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Director at a median of $164,600.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 506 | $148,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 474 | $145,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 304 | $147,368 |
| Director | 143 | $164,600 |
| Research Scientist | 139 | $127,878 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 136 | $113,277 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 123 | $139,235 |
| QA Engineer | 113 | $122,699 |
| Software Developer | 105 | $120,932 |
| Senior Product Manager | 89 | $158,080 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist in Foster City, CA is $121,600, based on 115 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 1% lower than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $122,800 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% lower than the overall H-1B median of $137,000 in Foster City, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $76,107 range from the 10th percentile ($103,771) to the 90th percentile ($179,878). The middle 50% of workers earn between $105,900 and $126,277, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
VISA U.S.A. is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Foster City, CA, with 66 certified filings at a median salary of $110,600. Among the top employers, GILEAD SCIENCES pays the highest median at $186,846. The pay spread across top employers is 69%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Data Scientist H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, answered directly from 115 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 Data Scientist salary in Foster City, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist positions in Foster City, CA is $121,600, based on 115 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $103,771
- 25th percentile
- $105,900
- Median
- $121,600
- 75th percentile
- $126,277
- 90th percentile
- $179,878
The salary distribution for Data Scientist roles in Foster City, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $103,771, while the 90th percentile earns $179,878. This $76,107 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Data Scientist salaries in Foster City, CA are 7% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Data Scientists in Foster City, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Data Scientist positions in Foster City, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Data Scientist roles specifically in Foster City, CA. VISA U.S.A. leads with 66 filings at a median salary of $110,600. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $110,600 to $186,846.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist in Foster City, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist in Foster City, CA, 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, 115 H-1B positions for Data Scientists in Foster City, CA 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.