Research Associate H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 321 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Associate positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $65,004. That's 1% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median of $64,522 across all U.S. locations, and 54% lower than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,000. Research Associate ranks #43 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Research Associate H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #860 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Associate hiring.
Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $25,656 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $57,751 and $71,400, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Associates land. The median of $65,004 sits 1% higher than the national Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $53,760
- 25th percentile
- $57,751
- Median
- $65,004
- 75th percentile
- $71,400
- 90th percentile
- $79,416
Top Employers Hiring Research Associates in Seattle, WA
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Associate in Seattle, WA, with 279 certified filings (87% of local Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $65,508. Among the top sponsors, FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER pays the highest median at $89,284. The pay spread across top employers is 44%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 44% ($62,043 at AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH to $89,284 at FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | 279 | $65,508 |
| HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE | 18 | $63,000 |
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER | 5 | $89,284 |
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER | 2 | $72,000 |
| AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH | 2 | $62,043 |
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 Seattle, WA, 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 Seattle, WA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 930 | $73,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 768 | $65,292 |
| 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 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Associate role here (9,911 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $184,900.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,911 | $158,500 |
| Software Engineer II | 7,913 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,155 | $125,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,174 | $149,500 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,094 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,998 | $176,000 |
| Program Manager III | 1,470 | $147,630 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,311 | $184,900 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 1,191 | $120,000 |
| Program Manager II | 1,170 | $119,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate in Seattle, WA is $65,004, based on 321 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 54% lower than the overall H-1B median of $142,000 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $25,656 range from the 10th percentile ($53,760) to the 90th percentile ($79,416). The middle 50% of workers earn between $57,751 and $71,400, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 279 certified filings at a median salary of $65,508. Among the top employers, FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER pays the highest median at $89,284. The pay spread across top employers is 44%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 321 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Associate positions in Seattle, WA is $65,004, based on 321 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $53,760
- 25th percentile
- $57,751
- Median
- $65,004
- 75th percentile
- $71,400
- 90th percentile
- $79,416
The salary distribution for Research Associate roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $53,760, while the 90th percentile earns $79,416. This $25,656 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 Seattle, WA are 50% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Associates in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Associate positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Associate roles specifically in Seattle, WA. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON leads with 279 filings at a median salary of $65,508. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $62,043 to $89,284.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Associate in Seattle, WA, 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, 321 H-1B positions for Research Associates in Seattle, WA 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.