Research Associate H-1B Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Employers have filed 497 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Los Angeles, CA, with a median salary of $64,522. That's about the same as the national Research Associate H-1B median of $64,522 across all U.S. locations, and 35% lower than the Los Angeles, CA all-roles H-1B median of $100,000. Research Associate ranks #6 among H-1B job titles filed from Los Angeles, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Los Angeles, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #474 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Associate hiring.
Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Los Angeles, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $24,909 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $58,608 and $71,632, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $64,522 sits about the same as the national Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $52,270
- 25th percentile
- $58,608
- Median
- $64,522
- 75th percentile
- $71,632
- 90th percentile
- $77,179
Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Los Angeles, CA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Los Angeles, CA, with 266 certified filings (54% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $66,600. Among the top sponsors, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES pays the highest median at $68,245. The pay spread across top employers is 31%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 31% ($52,270 at CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER to $68,245 at CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES | 266 | $66,600 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | 131 | $63,294 |
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | 43 | $52,270 |
| TERASAKI INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL INNOVATION | 21 | $58,608 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES | 8 | $68,245 |
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 Los Angeles, 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 (930) outside Los Angeles, CA. 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 |
| Dallas, TX | 489 | $57,456 |
| Baltimore, MD | 412 | $68,500 |
| La Jolla, CA | 333 | $65,292 |
| Seattle, WA | 321 | $65,004 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Los Angeles, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Los Angeles, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Accountant is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (1,073 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $144,886.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | 1,073 | $90,000 |
| Software Engineer | 942 | $140,000 |
| Research Scientist | 537 | $72,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 524 | $103,053 |
| Software Developer | 520 | $102,600 |
| Consultant | 391 | $92,000 |
| Architect | 383 | $75,000 |
| Associate | 300 | $112,070 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 295 | $144,886 |
| Project Manager | 250 | $100,285 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Los Angeles, CA is $64,522, based on 497 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is about the same as the national Research Associate H-1B median of $64,522 across all U.S. locations. It is also 35% lower than the overall H-1B median of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $24,909 range from the 10th percentile ($52,270) to the 90th percentile ($77,179). The middle 50% of workers earn between $58,608 and $71,632, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Los Angeles, CA, with 266 certified filings at a median salary of $66,600. Among the top employers, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES pays the highest median at $68,245. The pay spread across top employers is 31%, 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 Los Angeles, CA, answered directly from 497 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 Los Angeles, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Los Angeles, CA is $64,522, based on 497 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $52,270
- 25th percentile
- $58,608
- Median
- $64,522
- 75th percentile
- $71,632
- 90th percentile
- $77,179
The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Los Angeles, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $52,270, while the 90th percentile earns $77,179. This $24,909 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 Los Angeles, CA are 51% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Associates in Los Angeles, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in Los Angeles, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Los Angeles, CA. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES leads with 266 filings at a median salary of $66,600. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $52,270 to $68,245.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Los Angeles, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Los Angeles, 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, 497 H-1B positions for Research Associates in Los Angeles, 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.