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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

Research Associate H-1B Salary in Oak Ridge, TN

Employers have filed 204 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Oak Ridge, TN, with a median salary of $82,560. That's 27% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations, and 25% lower than the Oak Ridge, TN all-roles H-1B median of $109,620. Research Associate ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Oak Ridge, TN.

Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Oak Ridge, TN, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,635 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Associate hiring.

$82,560
Median Salary
204
Certified Filings
$72,737
10th Percentile
$91,299
90th Percentile

Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Oak Ridge, TN

The pay distribution for this role spans $18,562 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $76,500 and $87,703, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $82,560 sits 27% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median.

10th percentile
$72,737
25th percentile
$76,500
Median
$82,560
75th percentile
$87,703
90th percentile
$91,299
Middle 50% of Research Associate H-1B salaries in Oak Ridge, TN: $76,500 to $87,703

Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Oak Ridge, TN

UT-BATTELLE, (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Oak Ridge, TN, with 203 certified filings (100% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $82,560. The pay spread across top employers is 10%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 10% ($75,000 at OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES to $82,560 at UT-BATTELLE, (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY))

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 Oak Ridge, TN, which tells you whether Research Associate pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Research Associate
+27%
27% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000.
vs. Oak Ridge, TN Average
-25%
25% lower than the overall H-1B median in Oak Ridge, TN ($109,620).

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 Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, TN

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Oak Ridge, TN, ranked by certified filing volume. Associate Research Associate is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (298 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Research Scientist at a median of $129,000.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Associate Research Associate 298 $78,660
Research Scientist 131 $129,000

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Oak Ridge, TN is $82,560, based on 204 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 27% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 25% lower than the overall H-1B median of $109,620 in Oak Ridge, TN across all job titles.

Salaries span a $18,562 range from the 10th percentile ($72,737) to the 90th percentile ($91,299). The middle 50% of workers earn between $76,500 and $87,703, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

UT-BATTELLE, (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Oak Ridge, TN, with 203 certified filings at a median salary of $82,560. The pay spread across top employers is 10%, 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 Oak Ridge, TN, answered directly from 204 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 Oak Ridge, TN?

The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Oak Ridge, TN is $82,560, based on 204 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$72,737
25th percentile
$76,500
Median
$82,560
75th percentile
$87,703
90th percentile
$91,299

The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Oak Ridge, TN shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $72,737, while the 90th percentile earns $91,299. This $18,562 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 Oak Ridge, TN are 35% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Research Associates in Oak Ridge, TN?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in Oak Ridge, TN are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Oak Ridge, TN. UT-BATTELLE, (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) leads with 203 filings at a median salary of $82,560. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $75,000 to $82,560.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Oak Ridge, TN?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Oak Ridge, TN, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 204 H-1B positions for Research Associates in Oak Ridge, 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.