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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Research Associate H-1B Salary in Philadelphia, PA

Employers have filed 796 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Philadelphia, PA, with a median salary of $65,375. That's 1% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations, and 29% lower than the Philadelphia, PA all-roles H-1B median of $92,100. Research Associate ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Philadelphia, PA.

Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Philadelphia, PA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #254 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Associate hiring.

$65,375
Median Salary
796
Certified Filings
$55,224
10th Percentile
$77,272
90th Percentile

Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Philadelphia, PA

The pay distribution for this role spans $22,048 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $59,580 and $70,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $65,375 sits 1% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median.

10th percentile
$55,224
25th percentile
$59,580
Median
$65,375
75th percentile
$70,000
90th percentile
$77,272
Middle 50% of Research Associate H-1B salaries in Philadelphia, PA: $59,580 to $70,000

Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Philadelphia, PA

TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Philadelphia, PA, with 662 certified filings (83% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $66,300. The pay spread across top employers is 11%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 11% ($59,592 at INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH to $66,300 at TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA)

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

vs. National Research Associate
+1%
1% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000.
vs. Philadelphia, PA Average
-29%
29% lower than the overall H-1B median in Philadelphia, PA ($92,100).

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 Philadelphia, PA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
New York, NY 964 $73,200
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
Seattle, WA 331 $65,508

Other H-1B Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Philadelphia, PA, ranked by certified filing volume. Senior Consultant is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (1,215 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $130,000.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Senior Consultant 1,215 $88,483
Software Developer 1,018 $93,558
Manager 890 $111,509
Consultant 618 $80,080
Assistant Professor 589 $130,000
Architect 436 $98,280
Software Engineer 410 $93,600
Systems Analyst 243 $88,485
Senior Systems Analyst 241 $87,984
Research Scientist 238 $74,922

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Philadelphia, PA is $65,375, based on 796 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 1% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 29% lower than the overall H-1B median of $92,100 in Philadelphia, PA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $22,048 range from the 10th percentile ($55,224) to the 90th percentile ($77,272). The middle 50% of workers earn between $59,580 and $70,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Philadelphia, PA, with 662 certified filings at a median salary of $66,300. The pay spread across top employers is 11%, 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 Philadelphia, PA, answered directly from 796 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 Philadelphia, PA?

The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Philadelphia, PA is $65,375, based on 796 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$55,224
25th percentile
$59,580
Median
$65,375
75th percentile
$70,000
90th percentile
$77,272

The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Philadelphia, PA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $55,224, while the 90th percentile earns $77,272. This $22,048 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 Philadelphia, PA are 50% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Research Associates in Philadelphia, PA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in Philadelphia, PA are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Philadelphia, PA. TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA leads with 662 filings at a median salary of $66,300. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $59,592 to $66,300.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Philadelphia, PA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Philadelphia, PA, 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, 796 H-1B positions for Research Associates in Philadelphia, PA 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.