Principal Research Scientist H-1B Salary in South San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 58 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Research Scientist positions in South San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $164,000. That's 18% higher than the national Principal Research Scientist H-1B median of $138,681 across all U.S. locations, and 21% higher than the South San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $135,000. Principal Research Scientist ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from South San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Principal Research Scientist H-1B roles in South San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,404 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Principal Research Scientist hiring.
Principal Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in South San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $69,534 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $142,400 and $180,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Research Scientists land. The median of $164,000 sits 18% higher than the national Principal Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $125,466
- 25th percentile
- $142,400
- Median
- $164,000
- 75th percentile
- $180,000
- 90th percentile
- $195,000
Top Employers Hiring Principal Research Scientists in South San Francisco, CA
GENENTECH is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Research Scientist in South San Francisco, CA, with 30 certified filings (52% of local Principal Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $148,200. Among the top sponsors, SANA BIOTECHNOLOGY pays the highest median at $190,000. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 28% ($148,200 at GENENTECH to $190,000 at SANA BIOTECHNOLOGY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| GENENTECH | 30 | $148,200 |
| AMGEN | 6 | $180,411 |
| AMGEN INCORPORATED | 3 | $168,576 |
| ABBVIE BIOTHERAPEUTICS | 3 | $177,000 |
| SANA BIOTECHNOLOGY | 2 | $190,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Principal Research 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 South San Francisco, CA, which tells you whether Principal Research Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Principal Research Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Principal Research Scientist is an active H-1B role. Cambridge, MA has the most filings (212) outside South San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Tarrytown, NY at $162,868. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 212 | $129,584 |
| Boston, MA | 64 | $134,826 |
| Tarrytown, NY | 50 | $162,868 |
Other H-1B Jobs in South San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from South San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Scientist is the busiest non-Principal Research Scientist role here (413 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $170,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | 413 | $126,280 |
| Software Engineer | 312 | $156,800 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 238 | $140,000 |
| Consultant | 155 | $162,386 |
| Architect | 90 | $125,000 |
| Senior Research Associate | 90 | $103,771 |
| Data Scientist | 90 | $142,884 |
| Research Scientist II | 77 | $120,000 |
| Associate Consultant | 76 | $137,600 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 59 | $170,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Scientist in South San Francisco, CA is $164,000, based on 58 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 18% higher than the national Principal Research Scientist H-1B median of $138,681 across all U.S. locations. It is also 21% higher than the overall H-1B median of $135,000 in South San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $69,534 range from the 10th percentile ($125,466) to the 90th percentile ($195,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $142,400 and $180,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GENENTECH is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in South San Francisco, CA, with 30 certified filings at a median salary of $148,200. Among the top employers, SANA BIOTECHNOLOGY pays the highest median at $190,000. The pay spread across top employers is 28%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Principal Research Scientist H-1B roles in South San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 58 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 Scientist salary in South San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Research Scientist positions in South San Francisco, CA is $164,000, based on 58 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $125,466
- 25th percentile
- $142,400
- Median
- $164,000
- 75th percentile
- $180,000
- 90th percentile
- $195,000
The salary distribution for Principal Research Scientist roles in South San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $125,466, while the 90th percentile earns $195,000. This $69,534 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Principal Research Scientist salaries in South San Francisco, CA are 30% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Research Scientists in South San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Research Scientist positions in South San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Research Scientist roles specifically in South San Francisco, CA. GENENTECH leads with 30 filings at a median salary of $148,200. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $148,200 to $190,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Scientist in South San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Research Scientist in South 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, 58 H-1B positions for Principal Research Scientists in South 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.