Principal Research Associate H-1B Salary in Boston, MA
Employers have filed 238 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Research Associate positions in Boston, MA, with a median salary of $64,356. That's 7% higher than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000 across all U.S. locations, and 41% lower than the Boston, MA all-roles H-1B median of $110,000. Principal Research Associate ranks #29 among H-1B job titles filed from Boston, MA.
Headline numbers for Principal Research Associate H-1B roles in Boston, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,301 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Principal Research Associate hiring.
Principal Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Boston, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $37,906 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $57,000 and $74,263, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Research Associates land. The median of $64,356 sits 7% higher than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $54,176
- 25th percentile
- $57,000
- Median
- $64,356
- 75th percentile
- $74,263
- 90th percentile
- $92,082
Top Employers Hiring Principal Research Associates in Boston, MA
HARVARD UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Research Associate in Boston, MA, with 90 certified filings (38% of local Principal Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $63,242. Among the top sponsors, VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED pays the highest median at $92,900. The pay spread across top employers is 70%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 70% ($54,755 at TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER to $92,900 at VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | 90 | $63,242 |
| BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER | 40 | $63,852 |
| VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED | 24 | $92,900 |
| TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER | 23 | $54,755 |
| BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER | 12 | $61,381 |
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 Boston, MA, which tells you whether Principal Research Associate pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Principal Research Associate H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Principal Research Associate is an active H-1B role. Ann Arbor, MI has the most filings (987) outside Boston, MA. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 987 | $58,000 |
| 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 |
| 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 Boston, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boston, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Fellow is the busiest non-Principal Research Associate role here (1,863 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $146,100.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Fellow | 1,863 | $65,000 |
| Software Engineer | 1,394 | $110,240 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,378 | $135,658 |
| Software Engineer II | 943 | $146,100 |
| Software Developer | 908 | $105,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 726 | $121,296 |
| Consultant | 701 | $115,000 |
| Research Scientist | 688 | $86,700 |
| Accountant | 587 | $91,441 |
| Architect | 556 | $91,874 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Associate in Boston, MA is $64,356, based on 238 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 7% higher than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median of $60,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 41% lower than the overall H-1B median of $110,000 in Boston, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $37,906 range from the 10th percentile ($54,176) to the 90th percentile ($92,082). The middle 50% of workers earn between $57,000 and $74,263, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boston, MA, with 90 certified filings at a median salary of $63,242. Among the top employers, VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED pays the highest median at $92,900. The pay spread across top employers is 70%, 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 Boston, MA, answered directly from 238 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 Boston, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Associate positions in Boston, MA is $64,356, based on 238 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $54,176
- 25th percentile
- $57,000
- Median
- $64,356
- 75th percentile
- $74,263
- 90th percentile
- $92,082
The salary distribution for Principal Research Associate roles in Boston, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $54,176, while the 90th percentile earns $92,082. This $37,906 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 Boston, MA are 51% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Research Associates in Boston, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Research Associate positions in Boston, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Research Associate roles specifically in Boston, MA. HARVARD UNIVERSITY leads with 90 filings at a median salary of $63,242. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $54,755 to $92,900.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Associate in Boston, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Associate in Boston, MA, 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, 238 H-1B positions for Principal Research Associates in Boston, MA 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.