Research Fellow H-1B Salary in Boston, MA
Employers have filed 1,863 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Fellow positions in Boston, MA, with a median salary of $65,000. That's 4% lower than the national Research Fellow H-1B median of $67,781 across all U.S. locations, and 41% lower than the Boston, MA all-roles H-1B median of $110,000. Research Fellow ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from Boston, MA.
Headline numbers for Research Fellow H-1B roles in Boston, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #63 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Fellow hiring.
Research Fellow H-1B Salary Range in Boston, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $23,507 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $56,880 and $72,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Fellows land. The median of $65,000 sits 4% lower than the national Research Fellow H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $53,760
- 25th percentile
- $56,880
- Median
- $65,000
- 75th percentile
- $72,000
- 90th percentile
- $77,267
Top Employers Hiring Research Fellows in Boston, MA
DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Fellow in Boston, MA, with 433 certified filings (23% of local Research Fellow H-1B filings) at a median salary of $67,000. Among the top sponsors, HARVARD UNIVERSITY pays the highest median at $68,000. The pay spread across top employers is 15%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 15% ($59,140 at BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL to $68,000 at HARVARD UNIVERSITY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | 433 | $67,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | 429 | $65,874 |
| GENERAL HOSPITAL | 284 | $60,112 |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | 273 | $68,000 |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | 267 | $59,140 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Research Fellow 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 Boston, MA, which tells you whether Research Fellow pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Research Fellow H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Research Fellow is an active H-1B role. Bethesda, MD has the most filings (897) outside Boston, MA. The highest median among these is Rockville, MD at $97,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Bethesda, MD | 897 | $88,000 |
| Rochester, MN | 357 | $58,011 |
| Charlestown, MA | 226 | $60,000 |
| New York, NY | 207 | $59,000 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 75 | $55,640 |
| Rockville, MD | 75 | $97,000 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 67 | $57,866 |
| Cambridge, MA | 64 | $68,000 |
| Frederick, MD | 62 | $90,312 |
| Research Triangle Park, NC | 54 | $79,410 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Boston, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boston, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Fellow role here (1,394 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $146,100.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 1,394 | $110,240 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,378 | $135,658 |
| Software Engineer II | 943 | $146,100 |
| Software Developer | 908 | $105,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 726 | $121,296 |
| Consultant | 701 | $115,000 |
| Research Scientist | 688 | $86,700 |
| Accountant | 587 | $91,441 |
| Architect | 556 | $91,874 |
| Data Scientist | 524 | $115,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Fellow in Boston, MA is $65,000, based on 1,863 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% lower than the national Research Fellow H-1B median of $67,781 across all U.S. locations. It is also 41% lower than the overall H-1B median of $110,000 in Boston, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $23,507 range from the 10th percentile ($53,760) to the 90th percentile ($77,267). The middle 50% of workers earn between $56,880 and $72,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boston, MA, with 433 certified filings at a median salary of $67,000. Among the top employers, HARVARD UNIVERSITY pays the highest median at $68,000. The pay spread across top employers is 15%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Research Fellow H-1B roles in Boston, MA, answered directly from 1,863 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 Fellow salary in Boston, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Fellow positions in Boston, MA is $65,000, based on 1,863 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $53,760
- 25th percentile
- $56,880
- Median
- $65,000
- 75th percentile
- $72,000
- 90th percentile
- $77,267
The salary distribution for Research Fellow roles in Boston, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $53,760, while the 90th percentile earns $77,267. This $23,507 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Research Fellow salaries in Boston, MA are 50% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Fellows in Boston, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Fellow positions in Boston, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Fellow roles specifically in Boston, MA. DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE leads with 433 filings at a median salary of $67,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $59,140 to $68,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Fellow in Boston, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Fellow in Boston, MA, 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, 1,863 H-1B positions for Research Fellows in Boston, MA 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.