Research Scientist I H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 82 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist I positions in Sunnyvale, CA, with a median salary of $159,182. That's 70% higher than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median of $93,392 across all U.S. locations, and 1% higher than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $157,269. Research Scientist I ranks #80 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist I H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,037 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $64,166 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $145,000 and $175,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientist Is land. The median of $159,182 sits 70% higher than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $116,834
- 25th percentile
- $145,000
- Median
- $159,182
- 75th percentile
- $175,000
- 90th percentile
- $181,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientist Is in Sunnyvale, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist I in Sunnyvale, CA, with 81 certified filings (99% of local Research Scientist I H-1B filings) at a median salary of $159,182. The pay spread across top employers is 38%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 38% ($115,690 at CEPHEID to $159,182 at AMAZON)
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 Sunnyvale, CA, 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 Sunnyvale, CA. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $157,300. 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 |
| Atlanta, GA | 67 | $62,400 |
| Birmingham, AL | 67 | $69,000 |
| Tampa, FL | 67 | $70,367 |
| Bellevue, WA | 67 | $150,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sunnyvale, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist I role here (15,458 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $184,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 15,458 | $167,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,316 | $159,370 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,039 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,651 | $176,000 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,612 | $142,391 |
| Program Manager | 1,215 | $161,000 |
| Software Developer | 943 | $120,600 |
| Project Manager | 681 | $137,363 |
| Software Engineer I | 680 | $142,400 |
| QA Engineer | 655 | $133,718 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist I in Sunnyvale, CA is $159,182, based on 82 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 70% higher than the national Research Scientist I H-1B median of $93,392 across all U.S. locations. It is also 1% higher than the overall H-1B median of $157,269 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $64,166 range from the 10th percentile ($116,834) to the 90th percentile ($181,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $145,000 and $175,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 81 certified filings at a median salary of $159,182. The pay spread across top employers is 38%, 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 Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 82 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 Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist I positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $159,182, based on 82 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $116,834
- 25th percentile
- $145,000
- Median
- $159,182
- 75th percentile
- $175,000
- 90th percentile
- $181,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist I roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $116,834, while the 90th percentile earns $181,000. This $64,166 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 Sunnyvale, CA are 22% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientist Is in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist I positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist I roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. AMAZON leads with 81 filings at a median salary of $159,182. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $115,690 to $159,182.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist I in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist I in Sunnyvale, 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, 82 H-1B positions for Research Scientist Is in Sunnyvale, 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.