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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

Research Associate H-1B Salary in Raleigh, NC

Employers have filed 257 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Raleigh, NC, with a median salary of $58,656. That's 10% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations, and 41% lower than the Raleigh, NC all-roles H-1B median of $100,000. Research Associate ranks #7 among H-1B job titles filed from Raleigh, NC.

Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Raleigh, NC, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,271 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Associate hiring.

$58,656
Median Salary
257
Certified Filings
$48,500
10th Percentile
$70,000
90th Percentile

Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Raleigh, NC

The pay distribution for this role spans $21,500 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $51,750 and $62,962, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $58,656 sits 10% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median.

10th percentile
$48,500
25th percentile
$51,750
Median
$58,656
75th percentile
$62,962
90th percentile
$70,000
Middle 50% of Research Associate H-1B salaries in Raleigh, NC: $51,750 to $62,962

Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Raleigh, NC

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Raleigh, NC, with 256 certified filings (100% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $58,656. Among the top sponsors, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ pays the highest median at $82,400. The pay spread across top employers is 40%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 40% ($58,656 at NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY to $82,400 at UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ)

Employer Filings Median Salary
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY 256 $58,656
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ 1 $82,400

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

vs. National Research Associate
-10%
10% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000.
vs. Raleigh, NC Average
-41%
41% lower than the overall H-1B median in Raleigh, NC ($100,000).

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 Raleigh, NC. 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 Raleigh, NC

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Raleigh, NC, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (760 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $125,000.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 760 $108,659
Software Developer 733 $101,754
Senior Software Engineer 398 $125,000
Architect 371 $94,806
Technology Lead 322 $75,816
Consultant 307 $78,374
Manager 249 $98,925
Project Manager 249 $98,925
Assistant Professor 243 $98,589
Consultant II 225 $94,952

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Raleigh, NC is $58,656, based on 257 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 10% lower than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 41% lower than the overall H-1B median of $100,000 in Raleigh, NC across all job titles.

Salaries span a $21,500 range from the 10th percentile ($48,500) to the 90th percentile ($70,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $51,750 and $62,962, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Raleigh, NC, with 256 certified filings at a median salary of $58,656. Among the top employers, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ pays the highest median at $82,400. The pay spread across top employers is 40%, 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 Raleigh, NC, answered directly from 257 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 Raleigh, NC?

The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Raleigh, NC is $58,656, based on 257 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$48,500
25th percentile
$51,750
Median
$58,656
75th percentile
$62,962
90th percentile
$70,000

The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Raleigh, NC shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $48,500, while the 90th percentile earns $70,000. This $21,500 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 Raleigh, NC are 54% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Research Associates in Raleigh, NC?

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

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Raleigh, NC. NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY leads with 256 filings at a median salary of $58,656. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $58,656 to $82,400.

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

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Raleigh, NC, 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, 257 H-1B positions for Research Associates in Raleigh, NC 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.