Principal Research Associate H-1B Salary in Cambridge, MA
Employers have filed 247 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Research Associate positions in Cambridge, MA, with a median salary of $69,216. That's 16% higher than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median of $59,846 across all U.S. locations, and 40% lower than the Cambridge, MA all-roles H-1B median of $115,000. Principal Research Associate ranks #10 among H-1B job titles filed from Cambridge, MA.
Headline numbers for Principal Research Associate H-1B roles in Cambridge, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,178 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Principal Research Associate hiring.
Principal Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Cambridge, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $49,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $62,400 and $78,458, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Research Associates land. The median of $69,216 sits 16% higher than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $56,000
- 25th percentile
- $62,400
- Median
- $69,216
- 75th percentile
- $78,458
- 90th percentile
- $105,000
Top Employers Hiring Principal Research Associates in Cambridge, MA
HARVARD UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Research Associate in Cambridge, MA, with 189 certified filings (77% of local Principal Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $67,600. Among the top sponsors, MODERNATX pays the highest median at $111,200. The pay spread across top employers is 64%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 64% ($67,600 at HARVARD UNIVERSITY to $111,200 at MODERNATX)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | 189 | $67,600 |
| SANA BIOTECHNOLOGY | 8 | $106,413 |
| MODERNATX | 8 | $111,200 |
| MODERNA | 4 | $109,725 |
| THE BROAD INSTITUTE | 4 | $74,263 |
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 Cambridge, 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 (942) outside Cambridge, MA. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $67,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 942 | $57,846 |
| Houston, TX | 841 | $57,456 |
| Baltimore, MD | 733 | $60,780 |
| New York, NY | 636 | $67,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | 433 | $58,000 |
| Austin, TX | 229 | $59,981 |
| Boston, MA | 224 | $63,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 222 | $59,780 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 167 | $57,852 |
| Columbia, MO | 156 | $49,694 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Cambridge, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Cambridge, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Principal Research Associate role here (1,330 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $150,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 1,330 | $143,000 |
| Research Scientist | 1,264 | $108,000 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 605 | $122,000 |
| Associate Research Associate | 509 | $66,950 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 488 | $150,000 |
| Research Scientist II | 437 | $115,828 |
| Research Associate | 314 | $67,000 |
| Senior Research Associate | 291 | $86,250 |
| Software Engineer II | 262 | $133,300 |
| Research Scientist I | 230 | $97,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Associate in Cambridge, MA is $69,216, based on 247 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 16% higher than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median of $59,846 across all U.S. locations. It is also 40% lower than the overall H-1B median of $115,000 in Cambridge, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $49,000 range from the 10th percentile ($56,000) to the 90th percentile ($105,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $62,400 and $78,458, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Cambridge, MA, with 189 certified filings at a median salary of $67,600. Among the top employers, MODERNATX pays the highest median at $111,200. The pay spread across top employers is 64%, 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 Cambridge, MA, answered directly from 247 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 Cambridge, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Associate positions in Cambridge, MA is $69,216, based on 247 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $56,000
- 25th percentile
- $62,400
- Median
- $69,216
- 75th percentile
- $78,458
- 90th percentile
- $105,000
The salary distribution for Principal Research Associate roles in Cambridge, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $56,000, while the 90th percentile earns $105,000. This $49,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Principal Research Associate salaries in Cambridge, MA are 47% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Research Associates in Cambridge, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Research Associate positions in Cambridge, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Research Associate roles specifically in Cambridge, MA. HARVARD UNIVERSITY leads with 189 filings at a median salary of $67,600. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $67,600 to $111,200.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Associate in Cambridge, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Associate in Cambridge, 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, 247 H-1B positions for Principal Research Associates in Cambridge, 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.