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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Principal Research Associate H-1B Salary in Ann Arbor, MI

Employers have filed 987 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Research Associate positions in Ann Arbor, MI, with a median salary of $58,000. That's 3% lower than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000 across all U.S. locations, and 29% lower than the Ann Arbor, MI all-roles H-1B median of $82,139. Principal Research Associate ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Ann Arbor, MI.

Headline numbers for Principal Research Associate H-1B roles in Ann Arbor, MI, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #182 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Principal Research Associate hiring.

$58,000
Median Salary
987
Certified Filings
$52,704
10th Percentile
$67,000
90th Percentile

Principal Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Ann Arbor, MI

The pay distribution for this role spans $14,296 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $54,840 and $62,652, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Research Associates land. The median of $58,000 sits 3% lower than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median.

10th percentile
$52,704
25th percentile
$54,840
Median
$58,000
75th percentile
$62,652
90th percentile
$67,000
Middle 50% of Principal Research Associate H-1B salaries in Ann Arbor, MI: $54,840 to $62,652

Top Employers Hiring Principal Research Associates in Ann Arbor, MI

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Research Associate in Ann Arbor, MI, with 986 certified filings (100% of local Principal Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $58,000. Among the top sponsors, JANSSEN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT pays the highest median at $90,000. The pay spread across top employers is 55%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 55% ($58,000 at UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN to $90,000 at JANSSEN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT)

Employer Filings Median Salary
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 986 $58,000
JANSSEN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 1 $90,000

How This Salary Compares

Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Principal Research Associate 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 Ann Arbor, MI, which tells you whether Principal Research Associate pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Principal Research Associate
-3%
3% lower than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000.
vs. Ann Arbor, MI Average
-29%
29% lower than the overall H-1B median in Ann Arbor, MI ($82,139).

Principal Research Associate H-1B Salaries in Other Cities

The other top metros where Principal Research Associate is an active H-1B role. Houston, TX has the most filings (864) outside Ann Arbor, MI. The highest median among these is Cambridge, MA at $70,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
Houston, TX 864 $57,852
Baltimore, MD 754 $60,780
New York, NY 672 $68,000
Atlanta, GA 451 $58,608
Cambridge, MA 259 $70,000
Boston, MA 238 $64,356
Austin, TX 235 $60,000
Philadelphia, PA 228 $60,000
Indianapolis, IN 173 $58,000
Columbia, MO 166 $50,814

Other H-1B Jobs in Ann Arbor, MI

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Ann Arbor, MI, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Principal Research Associate role here (370 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $121,900.

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Associate in Ann Arbor, MI is $58,000, based on 987 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 3% lower than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 29% lower than the overall H-1B median of $82,139 in Ann Arbor, MI across all job titles.

Salaries span a $14,296 range from the 10th percentile ($52,704) to the 90th percentile ($67,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $54,840 and $62,652, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Ann Arbor, MI, with 986 certified filings at a median salary of $58,000. Among the top employers, JANSSEN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT pays the highest median at $90,000. The pay spread across top employers is 55%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Principal Research Associate H-1B roles in Ann Arbor, MI, answered directly from 987 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 Research Associate salary in Ann Arbor, MI?

The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Associate positions in Ann Arbor, MI is $58,000, based on 987 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$52,704
25th percentile
$54,840
Median
$58,000
75th percentile
$62,652
90th percentile
$67,000

The salary distribution for Principal Research Associate roles in Ann Arbor, MI shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $52,704, while the 90th percentile earns $67,000. This $14,296 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Principal Research Associate salaries in Ann Arbor, MI are 56% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Principal Research Associates in Ann Arbor, MI?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Research Associate positions in Ann Arbor, MI are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Research Associate roles specifically in Ann Arbor, MI. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN leads with 986 filings at a median salary of $58,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $58,000 to $90,000.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Associate in Ann Arbor, MI?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Associate in Ann Arbor, MI, 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, 987 H-1B positions for Principal Research Associates in Ann Arbor, MI 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.