Research Associate H-1B Salary in Nashville, TN
Employers have filed 118 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Nashville, TN, with a median salary of $59,591. That's 8% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations, and 37% lower than the Nashville, TN all-roles H-1B median of $95,000. Research Associate ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from Nashville, TN.
Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Nashville, TN, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,991 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Associate hiring.
Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Nashville, TN
The pay distribution for this role spans $17,296 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $55,000 and $65,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $59,591 sits 8% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $52,704
- 25th percentile
- $55,000
- Median
- $59,591
- 75th percentile
- $65,000
- 90th percentile
- $70,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Nashville, TN
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Nashville, TN, with 115 certified filings (97% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $59,591. Among the top sponsors, TENNESSE STATE UNIVERSITY pays the highest median at $65,923. The pay spread across top employers is 97%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 97% ($33,490 at BEACON CENTER OF TENNESSEE to $65,923 at TENNESSE STATE UNIVERSITY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | 115 | $59,591 |
| BEACON CENTER OF TENNESSEE | 1 | $33,490 |
| PMI BIOPHARMA SOLUTIONS | 1 | $46,000 |
| TENNESSE STATE UNIVERSITY | 1 | $65,923 |
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 Nashville, TN, 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 Nashville, TN. 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 |
| Berkeley, CA | 686 | $72,876 |
| 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 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Nashville, TN
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Nashville, TN, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (640 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $141,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 640 | $92,040 |
| Software Engineer | 417 | $90,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 275 | $107,625 |
| Program Manager II | 176 | $96,000 |
| Architect | 162 | $109,595 |
| Software Engineer II | 146 | $141,000 |
| Project Manager | 138 | $89,275 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 127 | $105,000 |
| Program Manager III | 125 | $130,000 |
| Business Analyst II | 123 | $92,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Nashville, TN is $59,591, based on 118 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 8% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 37% lower than the overall H-1B median of $95,000 in Nashville, TN across all job titles.
Salaries span a $17,296 range from the 10th percentile ($52,704) to the 90th percentile ($70,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $55,000 and $65,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Nashville, TN, with 115 certified filings at a median salary of $59,591. Among the top employers, TENNESSE STATE UNIVERSITY pays the highest median at $65,923. The pay spread across top employers is 97%, 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 Nashville, TN, answered directly from 118 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 Nashville, TN?
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Nashville, TN is $59,591, based on 118 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $52,704
- 25th percentile
- $55,000
- Median
- $59,591
- 75th percentile
- $65,000
- 90th percentile
- $70,000
The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Nashville, TN shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $52,704, while the 90th percentile earns $70,000. This $17,296 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 Nashville, TN are 53% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Associates in Nashville, TN?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in Nashville, TN are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Nashville, TN. VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY leads with 115 filings at a median salary of $59,591. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $33,490 to $65,923.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Nashville, TN?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Nashville, TN, 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, 118 H-1B positions for Research Associates in Nashville, TN 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.