Principal Data Scientist H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 53 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Data Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $168,002. That's 24% higher than the national Principal Data Scientist H-1B median of $135,874 across all U.S. locations, and 8% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Principal Data Scientist ranks #135 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Principal Data Scientist H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,624 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Principal Data Scientist hiring.
Principal Data Scientist H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $136,814 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $117,500 and $190,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Data Scientists land. The median of $168,002 sits 24% higher than the national Principal Data Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $103,002
- 25th percentile
- $117,500
- Median
- $168,002
- 75th percentile
- $190,000
- 90th percentile
- $239,816
Top Employers Hiring Principal Data Scientists in San Francisco, CA
CAPITAL ONE SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA, with 12 certified filings (23% of local Principal Data Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $103,002. Among the top sponsors, SHIPT pays the highest median at $188,885. The pay spread across top employers is 83%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 83% ($103,002 at CAPITAL ONE SERVICES to $188,885 at SHIPT)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CAPITAL ONE SERVICES | 12 | $103,002 |
| SHIPT | 6 | $188,885 |
| AUTODESK | 5 | $160,000 |
| OPTUM SERVICES | 3 | $187,000 |
| CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | 3 | $159,252 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Principal 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 Principal Data Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Principal Data Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Principal Data Scientist is an active H-1B role. Riverwoods, IL has the most filings (204) outside San Francisco, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Riverwoods, IL | 204 | $123,000 |
| Mclean, VA | 158 | $102,274 |
| New York, NY | 120 | $111,966 |
| Plano, TX | 74 | $92,040 |
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-Principal Data Scientist role here (13,033 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,033 | $165,605 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,884 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,537 | $150,488 |
| Product Manager | 1,504 | $164,500 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,087 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,081 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,032 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 1,030 | $107,500 |
| Consultant | 969 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 838 | $138,200 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA is $168,002, based on 53 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 24% higher than the national Principal Data Scientist H-1B median of $135,874 across all U.S. locations. It is also 8% higher than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $136,814 range from the 10th percentile ($103,002) to the 90th percentile ($239,816). The middle 50% of workers earn between $117,500 and $190,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CAPITAL ONE SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 12 certified filings at a median salary of $103,002. Among the top employers, SHIPT pays the highest median at $188,885. The pay spread across top employers is 83%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Principal Data Scientist H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 53 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 Principal Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Data Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA is $168,002, based on 53 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $103,002
- 25th percentile
- $117,500
- Median
- $168,002
- 75th percentile
- $190,000
- 90th percentile
- $239,816
The salary distribution for Principal Data Scientist roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $103,002, while the 90th percentile earns $239,816. This $136,814 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Principal Data Scientist salaries in San Francisco, CA are 29% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Data Scientists in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Data Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Data Scientist roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. CAPITAL ONE SERVICES leads with 12 filings at a median salary of $103,002. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $103,002 to $188,885.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal 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, 53 H-1B positions for Principal 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.