Skip to main content
H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Research Scientist I H-1B Salary in Madison, WI

Employers have filed 190 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist I positions in Madison, WI, with a median salary of $67,000. That's 28% lower than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median of $93,000 across all U.S. locations, and 26% lower than the Madison, WI all-roles H-1B median of $90,516. Research Scientist I ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from Madison, WI.

Headline numbers for Research Scientist I H-1B roles in Madison, WI, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,683 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Scientist I hiring.

$67,000
Median Salary
190
Certified Filings
$57,283
10th Percentile
$77,000
90th Percentile

Research Scientist I H-1B Salary Range in Madison, WI

The pay distribution for this role spans $19,717 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $61,884 and $72,500, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientist Is land. The median of $67,000 sits 28% lower than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median.

10th percentile
$57,283
25th percentile
$61,884
Median
$67,000
75th percentile
$72,500
90th percentile
$77,000
Middle 50% of Research Scientist I H-1B salaries in Madison, WI: $61,884 to $72,500

Top Employers Hiring Research Scientist Is in Madison, WI

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist I in Madison, WI, with 179 certified filings (94% of local Research Scientist I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $67,000. Among the top sponsors, UNIV OF WI SYSTEM pays the highest median at $68,340.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 2% ($67,000 at UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM to $68,340 at UNIV OF WI SYSTEM)

Employer Filings Median Salary
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM 179 $67,000
UNIV OF WI SYSTEM 11 $68,340

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 Madison, WI, which tells you whether Research Scientist I pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Research Scientist I
-28%
28% lower than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median of $93,000.
vs. Madison, WI Average
-26%
26% lower than the overall H-1B median in Madison, WI ($90,516).

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 (433) outside Madison, WI. The highest median among these is Sunnyvale, CA at $159,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
Seattle, WA 433 $143,550
Cambridge, MA 234 $96,500
San Diego, CA 195 $105,000
New York, NY 92 $157,300
Boston, MA 91 $98,946
Sunnyvale, CA 83 $159,000
Tampa, FL 70 $70,803
Bellevue, WA 69 $147,000
Atlanta, GA 68 $62,483
Birmingham, AL 67 $69,000

Other H-1B Jobs in Madison, WI

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Madison, WI, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Research Scientist I role here (509 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $110,000.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Developer 509 $90,418
Software Engineer 349 $97,000
Assistant Professor 339 $110,000
Research Associate-Postdegree Trainee 232 $55,000
Research Scientist 157 $67,434
Business Analyst 79 $84,864
Architect 76 $108,534
Project Manager 73 $104,291
Senior Systems Analyst 73 $76,232
Consultant II 72 $68,474

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist I in Madison, WI is $67,000, based on 190 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 28% lower than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median of $93,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 26% lower than the overall H-1B median of $90,516 in Madison, WI across all job titles.

Salaries span a $19,717 range from the 10th percentile ($57,283) to the 90th percentile ($77,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $61,884 and $72,500, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Madison, WI, with 179 certified filings at a median salary of $67,000. Among the top employers, UNIV OF WI SYSTEM pays the highest median at $68,340.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Research Scientist I H-1B roles in Madison, WI, answered directly from 190 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 Madison, WI?

The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist I positions in Madison, WI is $67,000, based on 190 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$57,283
25th percentile
$61,884
Median
$67,000
75th percentile
$72,500
90th percentile
$77,000

The salary distribution for Research Scientist I roles in Madison, WI shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $57,283, while the 90th percentile earns $77,000. This $19,717 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Research Scientist I salaries in Madison, WI are 49% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Research Scientist Is in Madison, WI?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist I positions in Madison, WI are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist I roles specifically in Madison, WI. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM leads with 179 filings at a median salary of $67,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $67,000 to $68,340.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist I in Madison, WI?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist I in Madison, WI, 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, 190 H-1B positions for Research Scientist Is in Madison, WI 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.