Data Scientist H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 1,498 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Data Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $150,000. That's 22% higher than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $122,800 across all U.S. locations, and 3% lower than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Data Scientist ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Data Scientist H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #88 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Data Scientist hiring.
Data Scientist H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $100,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $130,000 and $179,239, the interquartile range where most experienced Data Scientists land. The median of $150,000 sits 22% higher than the national Data Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $110,000
- 25th percentile
- $130,000
- Median
- $150,000
- 75th percentile
- $179,239
- 90th percentile
- $210,000
Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists in San Francisco, CA
UBER is the largest H-1B sponsor for Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA, with 105 certified filings (7% of local Data Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $144,800. Among the top sponsors, AIRBNB pays the highest median at $180,000. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 24% ($144,800 at UBER to $180,000 at AIRBNB)
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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, 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 |
| 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 |
| Atlanta, GA | 503 | $110,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Data Scientist role here (12,596 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 12,596 | $165,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,749 | $180,000 |
| Product Manager | 1,449 | $163,973 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,070 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,047 | $164,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 991 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 980 | $106,000 |
| Consultant | 946 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 811 | $135,000 |
| Architect | 779 | $128,016 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA is $150,000, based on 1,498 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 22% higher than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $122,800 across all U.S. locations. It is also 3% lower than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $100,000 range from the 10th percentile ($110,000) to the 90th percentile ($210,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $130,000 and $179,239, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UBER is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 105 certified filings at a median salary of $144,800. Among the top employers, AIRBNB pays the highest median at $180,000. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, 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 San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 1,498 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 San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA is $150,000, based on 1,498 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $110,000
- 25th percentile
- $130,000
- Median
- $150,000
- 75th percentile
- $179,239
- 90th percentile
- $210,000
The salary distribution for Data Scientist roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $110,000, while the 90th percentile earns $210,000. This $100,000 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 San Francisco, CA are 15% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Data Scientists in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Data Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Data Scientist roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. UBER leads with 105 filings at a median salary of $144,800. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $144,800 to $180,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist in San Francisco, 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, 1,498 H-1B positions for Data Scientists in San Francisco, 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.