Research Associate H-1B Salary in Pasadena, CA
Employers have filed 151 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Pasadena, CA, with a median salary of $66,560. That's 2% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations, and 33% lower than the Pasadena, CA all-roles H-1B median of $98,664. Research Associate ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Pasadena, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Pasadena, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,151 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Associate hiring.
Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Pasadena, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $23,940 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $61,000 and $72,450, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $66,560 sits 2% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $58,240
- 25th percentile
- $61,000
- Median
- $66,560
- 75th percentile
- $72,450
- 90th percentile
- $82,180
Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Pasadena, CA
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Pasadena, CA, with 97 certified filings (64% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $65,428. Among the top sponsors, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY/JET PROPULSION LABORATORY pays the highest median at $72,072. The pay spread across top employers is 12%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 12% ($64,500 at HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE to $72,072 at CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY/JET PROPULSION LABORATORY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 97 | $65,428 |
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY/JET PROPULSION LABORATORY | 41 | $72,072 |
| HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE | 3 | $64,500 |
| DOHENY EYE INSTITUTE | 2 | $67,000 |
| LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH H. LEE | 2 | $69,576 |
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 Pasadena, 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 (964) outside Pasadena, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 964 | $73,200 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 796 | $65,375 |
| Chicago, IL | 731 | $62,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | 715 | $69,209 |
| Berkeley, CA | 666 | $72,162 |
| Stanford, CA | 655 | $71,650 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 511 | $64,750 |
| Dallas, TX | 495 | $57,500 |
| Baltimore, MD | 428 | $69,098 |
| La Jolla, CA | 343 | $65,292 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Pasadena, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Pasadena, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Architect is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (195 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Research Scientist II at a median of $132,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Architect | 195 | $77,896 |
| Software Developer | 110 | $102,357 |
| Software Engineer | 107 | $111,780 |
| Research Scientist | 105 | $100,000 |
| Associate Research Associate | 91 | $71,400 |
| Research Scientist II | 67 | $132,080 |
| Lead Software Developer | 63 | $126,942 |
| Senior Software Developer | 59 | $118,373 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Pasadena, CA is $66,560, based on 151 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 33% lower than the overall H-1B median of $98,664 in Pasadena, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $23,940 range from the 10th percentile ($58,240) to the 90th percentile ($82,180). The middle 50% of workers earn between $61,000 and $72,450, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Pasadena, CA, with 97 certified filings at a median salary of $65,428. Among the top employers, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY/JET PROPULSION LABORATORY pays the highest median at $72,072. The pay spread across top employers is 12%, 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 Pasadena, CA, answered directly from 151 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 Pasadena, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Pasadena, CA is $66,560, based on 151 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $58,240
- 25th percentile
- $61,000
- Median
- $66,560
- 75th percentile
- $72,450
- 90th percentile
- $82,180
The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Pasadena, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $58,240, while the 90th percentile earns $82,180. This $23,940 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Research Associate salaries in Pasadena, CA are 49% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Associates in Pasadena, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in Pasadena, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Pasadena, CA. CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY leads with 97 filings at a median salary of $65,428. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $64,500 to $72,072.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Pasadena, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Pasadena, 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, 151 H-1B positions for Research Associates in Pasadena, 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.