Research Scientist I H-1B Salary in Boulder, CO
Employers have filed 51 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist I positions in Boulder, CO, with a median salary of $96,000. That's 3% higher than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median of $93,392 across all U.S. locations, and 10% lower than the Boulder, CO all-roles H-1B median of $106,400. Research Scientist I ranks #7 among H-1B job titles filed from Boulder, CO.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist I H-1B roles in Boulder, CO, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,655 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist I hiring.
Research Scientist I H-1B Salary Range in Boulder, CO
The pay distribution for this role spans $20,713 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $92,500 and $102,103, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientist Is land. The median of $96,000 sits 3% higher than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $84,287
- 25th percentile
- $92,500
- Median
- $96,000
- 75th percentile
- $102,103
- 90th percentile
- $105,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientist Is in Boulder, CO
UNIVERSITY FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist I in Boulder, CO, with 50 certified filings (98% of local Research Scientist I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $96,000. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 24% ($77,300 at COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY to $96,000 at UNIVERSITY FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH | 50 | $96,000 |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY | 1 | $77,300 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Research Scientist I 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 Boulder, CO, which tells you whether Research Scientist I pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Research Scientist I H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Research Scientist I is an active H-1B role. Seattle, WA has the most filings (425) outside Boulder, CO. The highest median among these is Sunnyvale, CA at $159,182. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 425 | $145,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 230 | $97,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 194 | $105,000 |
| Madison, WI | 170 | $67,000 |
| New York, NY | 92 | $157,300 |
| Boston, MA | 91 | $98,946 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 82 | $159,182 |
| Atlanta, GA | 67 | $62,400 |
| Birmingham, AL | 67 | $69,000 |
| Tampa, FL | 67 | $70,367 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Boulder, CO
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boulder, CO, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist I role here (325 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $149,700.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 325 | $127,338 |
| Associate Research Associate | 154 | $65,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 117 | $130,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 71 | $139,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 70 | $107,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 70 | $149,700 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist I in Boulder, CO is $96,000, based on 51 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 3% higher than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median of $93,392 across all U.S. locations. It is also 10% lower than the overall H-1B median of $106,400 in Boulder, CO across all job titles.
Salaries span a $20,713 range from the 10th percentile ($84,287) to the 90th percentile ($105,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $92,500 and $102,103, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boulder, CO, with 50 certified filings at a median salary of $96,000. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Research Scientist I H-1B roles in Boulder, CO, answered directly from 51 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 Scientist I salary in Boulder, CO?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist I positions in Boulder, CO is $96,000, based on 51 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $84,287
- 25th percentile
- $92,500
- Median
- $96,000
- 75th percentile
- $102,103
- 90th percentile
- $105,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist I roles in Boulder, CO shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $84,287, while the 90th percentile earns $105,000. This $20,713 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Research Scientist I salaries in Boulder, CO are 26% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientist Is in Boulder, CO?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist I positions in Boulder, CO are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist I roles specifically in Boulder, CO. UNIVERSITY FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH leads with 50 filings at a median salary of $96,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $77,300 to $96,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist I in Boulder, CO?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist I in Boulder, CO, 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, 51 H-1B positions for Research Scientist Is in Boulder, CO 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.