Principal Research Associate H-1B Salary in Houston, TX
Employers have filed 841 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Research Associate positions in Houston, TX, with a median salary of $57,456. That's 4% lower than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median of $59,846 across all U.S. locations, and 40% lower than the Houston, TX all-roles H-1B median of $95,000. Principal Research Associate ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from Houston, TX.
Headline numbers for Principal Research Associate H-1B roles in Houston, TX, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #223 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Principal Research Associate hiring.
Principal Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Houston, TX
The pay distribution for this role spans $16,964 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $54,144 and $63,852, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Research Associates land. The median of $57,456 sits 4% lower than the national Principal Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $52,000
- 25th percentile
- $54,144
- Median
- $57,456
- 75th percentile
- $63,852
- 90th percentile
- $68,964
Top Employers Hiring Principal Research Associates in Houston, TX
BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Research Associate in Houston, TX, with 355 certified filings (42% of local Principal Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $57,504. Among the top sponsors, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER pays the highest median at $61,572.
Pay spread among top employers: 9% ($56,484 at THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE to $61,572 at THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | 355 | $57,504 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | 192 | $61,572 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON | 102 | $57,300 |
| THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 94 | $56,484 |
| UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON | 56 | $57,054 |
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 Houston, TX, 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 Houston, TX. The highest median among these is Cambridge, MA at $69,216. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 942 | $57,846 |
| Baltimore, MD | 733 | $60,780 |
| New York, NY | 636 | $67,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | 433 | $58,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 247 | $69,216 |
| 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 Houston, TX
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Houston, TX, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Principal Research Associate role here (5,041 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Consultant at a median of $117,998.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 5,041 | $92,000 |
| Software Engineer | 2,318 | $93,600 |
| Consultant | 1,408 | $93,226 |
| Architect | 1,148 | $94,598 |
| Project Manager | 803 | $100,000 |
| Accountant | 786 | $74,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 768 | $110,000 |
| Senior Consultant | 721 | $117,998 |
| Systems Analyst | 568 | $95,500 |
| Research Scientist | 533 | $73,950 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Associate in Houston, TX is $57,456, based on 841 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% lower 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 $95,000 in Houston, TX across all job titles.
Salaries span a $16,964 range from the 10th percentile ($52,000) to the 90th percentile ($68,964). The middle 50% of workers earn between $54,144 and $63,852, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Houston, TX, with 355 certified filings at a median salary of $57,504. Among the top employers, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER pays the highest median at $61,572.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Principal Research Associate H-1B roles in Houston, TX, answered directly from 841 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 Houston, TX?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Associate positions in Houston, TX is $57,456, based on 841 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $52,000
- 25th percentile
- $54,144
- Median
- $57,456
- 75th percentile
- $63,852
- 90th percentile
- $68,964
The salary distribution for Principal Research Associate roles in Houston, TX shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $52,000, while the 90th percentile earns $68,964. This $16,964 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 Houston, TX are 56% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Research Associates in Houston, TX?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Research Associate positions in Houston, TX are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Research Associate roles specifically in Houston, TX. BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE leads with 355 filings at a median salary of $57,504. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $56,484 to $61,572.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Associate in Houston, TX?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Associate in Houston, TX, 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, 841 H-1B positions for Principal Research Associates in Houston, TX 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.