Research Associate H-1B Salary in Ashburn, VA
Employers have filed 50 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Ashburn, VA, with a median salary of $72,789. That's 13% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $64,522 across all U.S. locations, and 32% lower than the Ashburn, VA all-roles H-1B median of $107,000. Research Associate ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from Ashburn, VA.
Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Ashburn, VA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,760 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Associate hiring.
Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Ashburn, VA
The pay distribution for this role spans $17,110 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $62,500 and $78,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $72,789 sits 13% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $62,500
- 25th percentile
- $62,500
- Median
- $72,789
- 75th percentile
- $78,000
- 90th percentile
- $79,610
Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Ashburn, VA
HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Ashburn, VA, with 46 certified filings (92% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $72,789. Among the top sponsors, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY pays the highest median at $81,947. The pay spread across top employers is 14%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 14% ($72,000 at HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE (HHMI) to $81,947 at JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE | 46 | $72,789 |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | 3 | $81,947 |
| HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE (HHMI) | 1 | $72,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national 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 Ashburn, VA, which tells you whether Research Associate pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Research Associate H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Research Associate is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (930) outside Ashburn, VA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 930 | $73,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 768 | $65,292 |
| Chicago, IL | 704 | $62,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 690 | $69,209 |
| Berkeley, CA | 645 | $71,908 |
| Stanford, CA | 638 | $71,650 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 497 | $64,522 |
| Dallas, TX | 489 | $57,456 |
| Baltimore, MD | 412 | $68,500 |
| La Jolla, CA | 333 | $65,292 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Ashburn, VA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Ashburn, VA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (596 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Architect at a median of $133,640.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 596 | $98,550 |
| Software Engineer | 332 | $98,550 |
| Consultant | 137 | $98,600 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 120 | $124,417 |
| Architect | 86 | $133,640 |
| Project Manager | 66 | $114,026 |
| DevOps Engineer | 61 | $110,240 |
| Data Engineer | 59 | $110,739 |
| Systems Analyst | 58 | $98,000 |
| Data Analyst | 55 | $93,246 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Ashburn, VA is $72,789, based on 50 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 13% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $64,522 across all U.S. locations. It is also 32% lower than the overall H-1B median of $107,000 in Ashburn, VA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $17,110 range from the 10th percentile ($62,500) to the 90th percentile ($79,610). The middle 50% of workers earn between $62,500 and $78,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Ashburn, VA, with 46 certified filings at a median salary of $72,789. Among the top employers, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY pays the highest median at $81,947. The pay spread across top employers is 14%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Research Associate H-1B roles in Ashburn, VA, answered directly from 50 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 Research Associate salary in Ashburn, VA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Ashburn, VA is $72,789, based on 50 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $62,500
- 25th percentile
- $62,500
- Median
- $72,789
- 75th percentile
- $78,000
- 90th percentile
- $79,610
The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Ashburn, VA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $62,500, while the 90th percentile earns $79,610. This $17,110 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Research Associate salaries in Ashburn, VA are 44% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Associates in Ashburn, VA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in Ashburn, VA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Ashburn, VA. HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE leads with 46 filings at a median salary of $72,789. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $72,000 to $81,947.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Ashburn, VA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Ashburn, VA, 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, 50 H-1B positions for Research Associates in Ashburn, VA 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.