Research Associate H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 715 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $69,209. That's 6% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations, and 55% lower than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Research Associate ranks #14 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #297 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Associate hiring.
Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $24,228 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $63,036 and $77,179, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $69,209 sits 6% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $58,608
- 25th percentile
- $63,036
- Median
- $69,209
- 75th percentile
- $77,179
- 90th percentile
- $82,836
Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in San Francisco, CA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in San Francisco, CA, with 622 certified filings (87% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $69,209. Among the top sponsors, WOODLINE PARTNERS pays the highest median at $142,958. The pay spread across top employers is 122%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 122% ($64,480 at THE J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES to $142,958 at WOODLINE PARTNERS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO | 622 | $69,209 |
| THE J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES | 25 | $64,480 |
| WOODLINE PARTNERS | 12 | $142,958 |
| PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE OF CALIFORNIA | 7 | $65,374 |
| CORNERSTONE RESEARCH | 6 | $140,000 |
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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, 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 |
| 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 San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (13,033 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,033 | $165,605 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,884 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,537 | $150,488 |
| Product Manager | 1,504 | $164,500 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,087 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,081 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,032 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 1,030 | $107,500 |
| Consultant | 969 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 838 | $138,200 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in San Francisco, CA is $69,209, based on 715 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 6% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 55% lower than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $24,228 range from the 10th percentile ($58,608) to the 90th percentile ($82,836). The middle 50% of workers earn between $63,036 and $77,179, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 622 certified filings at a median salary of $69,209. Among the top employers, WOODLINE PARTNERS pays the highest median at $142,958. The pay spread across top employers is 122%, 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 San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 715 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 San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in San Francisco, CA is $69,209, based on 715 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $58,608
- 25th percentile
- $63,036
- Median
- $69,209
- 75th percentile
- $77,179
- 90th percentile
- $82,836
The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $58,608, while the 90th percentile earns $82,836. This $24,228 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 San Francisco, CA are 47% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Associates in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO leads with 622 filings at a median salary of $69,209. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $64,480 to $142,958.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in San Francisco, 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, 715 H-1B positions for Research Associates in San Francisco, 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.