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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Data Scientist H-1B Salary in Santa Monica, CA

Employers have filed 70 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Data Scientist positions in Santa Monica, CA, with a median salary of $112,091. That's 9% lower than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $122,800 across all U.S. locations, and 14% lower than the Santa Monica, CA all-roles H-1B median of $129,667. Data Scientist ranks #6 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Monica, CA.

Headline numbers for Data Scientist H-1B roles in Santa Monica, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,766 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Data Scientist hiring.

$112,091
Median Salary
70
Certified Filings
$85,000
10th Percentile
$158,000
90th Percentile

Data Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Santa Monica, CA

The pay distribution for this role spans $73,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $98,322 and $130,416, the interquartile range where most experienced Data Scientists land. The median of $112,091 sits 9% lower than the national Data Scientist H-1B median.

10th percentile
$85,000
25th percentile
$98,322
Median
$112,091
75th percentile
$130,416
90th percentile
$158,000
Middle 50% of Data Scientist H-1B salaries in Santa Monica, CA: $98,322 to $130,416

Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists in Santa Monica, CA

SNAP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Data Scientist in Santa Monica, CA, with 30 certified filings (43% of local Data Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $104,603. Among the top sponsors, HULU pays the highest median at $145,000. The pay spread across top employers is 78%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison
SNAP
$104,603
HULU
$145,000
RULE 14
$81,390
LEAF GROUP
$105,000
ZIPRECRUITER
$130,000

Pay spread among top employers: 78% ($81,390 at RULE 14 to $145,000 at HULU)

Employer Filings Median Salary
SNAP 30 $104,603
HULU 6 $145,000
RULE 14 4 $81,390
LEAF GROUP 3 $105,000
ZIPRECRUITER 3 $130,000

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 Santa Monica, CA, which tells you whether Data Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Data Scientist
-9%
9% lower than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $122,800.
vs. Santa Monica, CA Average
-14%
14% lower than the overall H-1B median in Santa Monica, CA ($129,667).

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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, CA

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Monica, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Data Scientist role here (450 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $160,000.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 450 $125,000
Software Engineer II 151 $147,500
Senior Software Engineer 145 $160,000
Software Developer 131 $139,818
Software Engineer I 79 $125,000
Product Manager 57 $132,000
Research Scientist 54 $124,240

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist in Santa Monica, CA is $112,091, based on 70 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 9% lower than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $122,800 across all U.S. locations. It is also 14% lower than the overall H-1B median of $129,667 in Santa Monica, CA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $73,000 range from the 10th percentile ($85,000) to the 90th percentile ($158,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,322 and $130,416, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

SNAP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Monica, CA, with 30 certified filings at a median salary of $104,603. Among the top employers, HULU pays the highest median at $145,000. The pay spread across top employers is 78%, 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 Santa Monica, CA, answered directly from 70 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 Santa Monica, CA?

The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist positions in Santa Monica, CA is $112,091, based on 70 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$85,000
25th percentile
$98,322
Median
$112,091
75th percentile
$130,416
90th percentile
$158,000

The salary distribution for Data Scientist roles in Santa Monica, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $85,000, while the 90th percentile earns $158,000. This $73,000 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 Santa Monica, CA are 14% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Data Scientists in Santa Monica, CA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Data Scientist positions in Santa Monica, CA are:

SNAP
$104,603
HULU
$145,000
RULE 14
$81,390
LEAF GROUP
$105,000
ZIPRECRUITER
$130,000

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Data Scientist roles specifically in Santa Monica, CA. SNAP leads with 30 filings at a median salary of $104,603. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $81,390 to $145,000.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist in Santa Monica, CA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist in Santa Monica, CA, 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, 70 H-1B positions for Data Scientists in Santa Monica, 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.