Research Associate H-1B Salary in Berkeley, CA
Employers have filed 686 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Berkeley, CA, with a median salary of $72,876. That's 12% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations, and 32% lower than the Berkeley, CA all-roles H-1B median of $106,400. Research Associate ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Berkeley, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Berkeley, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #351 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Associate hiring.
Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Berkeley, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $30,832 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $64,008 and $80,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $72,876 sits 12% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $58,284
- 25th percentile
- $64,008
- Median
- $72,876
- 75th percentile
- $80,000
- 90th percentile
- $89,116
Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Berkeley, CA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Berkeley, CA, with 369 certified filings (54% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $71,769. Among the top sponsors, CARIBOU BIOSCIENCES pays the highest median at $95,000. The pay spread across top employers is 49%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 49% ($63,600 at HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE to $95,000 at CARIBOU BIOSCIENCES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY | 369 | $71,769 |
| LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY | 276 | $75,360 |
| HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE | 22 | $63,600 |
| CARIBOU BIOSCIENCES | 6 | $95,000 |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER SCIENCE INSTITUTE | 5 | $79,934 |
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 Berkeley, CA, 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 (1,013) outside Berkeley, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 1,013 | $73,952 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 828 | $66,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 773 | $63,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 741 | $70,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 680 | $71,650 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 532 | $65,292 |
| Dallas, TX | 519 | $58,000 |
| Baltimore, MD | 458 | $70,000 |
| La Jolla, CA | 358 | $66,600 |
| Seattle, WA | 346 | $65,508 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Berkeley, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Berkeley, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Scientist is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (285 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Systems Engineer III at a median of $168,804.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | 285 | $89,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 190 | $122,200 |
| Software Engineer | 104 | $147,368 |
| Lecturer | 58 | $74,576 |
| Systems Engineer III | 52 | $168,804 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Berkeley, CA is $72,876, based on 686 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 12% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 32% lower than the overall H-1B median of $106,400 in Berkeley, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $30,832 range from the 10th percentile ($58,284) to the 90th percentile ($89,116). The middle 50% of workers earn between $64,008 and $80,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Berkeley, CA, with 369 certified filings at a median salary of $71,769. Among the top employers, CARIBOU BIOSCIENCES pays the highest median at $95,000. The pay spread across top employers is 49%, 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 Berkeley, CA, answered directly from 686 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 Berkeley, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Berkeley, CA is $72,876, based on 686 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $58,284
- 25th percentile
- $64,008
- Median
- $72,876
- 75th percentile
- $80,000
- 90th percentile
- $89,116
The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Berkeley, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $58,284, while the 90th percentile earns $89,116. This $30,832 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Research Associate salaries in Berkeley, CA are 42% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Associates in Berkeley, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in Berkeley, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Berkeley, CA. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY leads with 369 filings at a median salary of $71,769. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $63,600 to $95,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Berkeley, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Berkeley, 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, 686 H-1B positions for Research Associates in Berkeley, 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.