Data Scientist H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 281 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Data Scientist positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $145,000. That's 16% higher than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $124,467 across all U.S. locations, and 12% lower than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $164,349. Data Scientist ranks #9 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Data Scientist H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,051 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Data Scientist hiring.
Data Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $92,318 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $120,827 and $175,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Data Scientists land. The median of $145,000 sits 16% higher than the national Data Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $107,682
- 25th percentile
- $120,827
- Median
- $145,000
- 75th percentile
- $175,000
- 90th percentile
- $200,000
Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists in Palo Alto, CA
NEXT INSURANCE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Data Scientist in Palo Alto, CA, with 27 certified filings (10% of local Data Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $190,000. The pay spread across top employers is 63%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 63% ($116,850 at SAP LABS to $190,000 at NEXT INSURANCE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| NEXT INSURANCE | 27 | $190,000 |
| SAP LABS | 23 | $116,850 |
| HOUZZ | 11 | $145,000 |
| SNAP | 11 | $163,172 |
| 10 | $160,000 |
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 Palo Alto, 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 (2,563) outside Palo Alto, CA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $178,418. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 2,563 | $140,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,537 | $150,488 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,296 | $178,418 |
| Mountain View, CA | 892 | $166,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 879 | $145,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 868 | $160,193 |
| Chicago, IL | 638 | $105,420 |
| Redmond, WA | 616 | $160,800 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 613 | $146,307 |
| Boston, MA | 524 | $115,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Palo Alto, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Data Scientist role here (2,197 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $210,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,197 | $156,200 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,267 | $184,080 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 963 | $141,378 |
| Software Engineer II | 674 | $172,931 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 408 | $210,000 |
| Research Scientist | 383 | $140,067 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Staff Engineer | 282 | $207,500 |
| Developer | 253 | $127,092 |
| Senior Developer | 245 | $154,636 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist in Palo Alto, CA is $145,000, based on 281 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 16% higher than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $124,467 across all U.S. locations. It is also 12% lower than the overall H-1B median of $164,349 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $92,318 range from the 10th percentile ($107,682) to the 90th percentile ($200,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $120,827 and $175,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
NEXT INSURANCE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Palo Alto, CA, with 27 certified filings at a median salary of $190,000. The pay spread across top employers is 63%, 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 Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 281 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 Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist positions in Palo Alto, CA is $145,000, based on 281 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $107,682
- 25th percentile
- $120,827
- Median
- $145,000
- 75th percentile
- $175,000
- 90th percentile
- $200,000
The salary distribution for Data Scientist roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $107,682, while the 90th percentile earns $200,000. This $92,318 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Data Scientist salaries in Palo Alto, CA are 11% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Data Scientists in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Data Scientist positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Data Scientist roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. NEXT INSURANCE leads with 27 filings at a median salary of $190,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $116,850 to $190,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist in Palo Alto, 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, 281 H-1B positions for Data Scientists in Palo Alto, 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.