Research Associate H-1B Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Employers have filed 768 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Philadelphia, PA, with a median salary of $65,292. That's 1% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $64,522 across all U.S. locations, and 29% lower than the Philadelphia, PA all-roles H-1B median of $92,082. 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 #255 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 Philadelphia, PA
The pay distribution for this role spans $21,814 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $58,698 and $70,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $65,292 sits 1% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $55,046
- 25th percentile
- $58,698
- Median
- $65,292
- 75th percentile
- $70,000
- 90th percentile
- $76,860
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 636 certified filings (83% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $66,000. The pay spread across top employers is 11%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 11% ($59,592 at INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH to $66,000 at TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | 636 | $66,000 |
| THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA | 57 | $62,234 |
| THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY | 30 | $59,740 |
| DREXEL UNIVERSITY | 14 | $60,000 |
| INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH | 8 | $59,592 |
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.
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 Philadelphia, PA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 930 | $73,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 704 | $62,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 690 | $69,209 |
| Berkeley, CA | 645 | $71,908 |
| Stanford, CA | 638 | $71,650 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 497 | $64,522 |
| 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 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 $128,134.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Consultant | 1,215 | $88,483 |
| Software Developer | 1,001 | $93,000 |
| Manager | 884 | $111,509 |
| Consultant | 610 | $79,807 |
| Assistant Professor | 555 | $128,134 |
| Architect | 420 | $97,757 |
| Software Engineer | 403 | $93,600 |
| Systems Analyst | 243 | $88,485 |
| Senior Systems Analyst | 241 | $87,984 |
| Research Scientist | 237 | $74,170 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Philadelphia, PA is $65,292, based on 768 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 $64,522 across all U.S. locations. It is also 29% lower than the overall H-1B median of $92,082 in Philadelphia, PA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $21,814 range from the 10th percentile ($55,046) to the 90th percentile ($76,860). The middle 50% of workers earn between $58,698 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 636 certified filings at a median salary of $66,000. 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 768 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 $65,292, based on 768 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $55,046
- 25th percentile
- $58,698
- Median
- $65,292
- 75th percentile
- $70,000
- 90th percentile
- $76,860
The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Philadelphia, PA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $55,046, while the 90th percentile earns $76,860. This $21,814 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 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 636 filings at a median salary of $66,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $59,592 to $66,000.
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:
- 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, 768 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.