Research Scientist II H-1B Salary in Madison, WI
Employers have filed 67 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist II positions in Madison, WI, with a median salary of $75,967. That's 42% lower than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $130,146 across all U.S. locations, and 17% lower than the Madison, WI all-roles H-1B median of $91,312. Research Scientist II ranks #13 among H-1B job titles filed from Madison, WI.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist II H-1B roles in Madison, WI, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,503 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist II hiring.
Research Scientist II H-1B Salary Range in Madison, WI
The pay distribution for this role spans $33,266 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $65,545 and $89,981, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientist IIs land. The median of $75,967 sits 42% lower than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $61,734
- 25th percentile
- $65,545
- Median
- $75,967
- 75th percentile
- $89,981
- 90th percentile
- $95,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientist IIs in Madison, WI
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist II in Madison, WI, with 58 certified filings (87% of local Research Scientist II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $77,286. Among the top sponsors, EXACT SCIENCES pays the highest median at $97,406. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 62% ($60,000 at ARROWHEAD MADISON to $97,406 at EXACT SCIENCES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM | 58 | $77,286 |
| UNIV OF WI SYSTEM | 2 | $84,668 |
| EXACT SCIENCES | 2 | $97,406 |
| LABCORP EARLY DEVELOPMENT LABORATORIES | 2 | $65,291 |
| ARROWHEAD MADISON | 1 | $60,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Research Scientist II 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 II pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Research Scientist II H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Research Scientist II is an active H-1B role. Seattle, WA has the most filings (1,278) outside Madison, WI. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $185,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 1,278 | $160,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 468 | $117,420 |
| New York, NY | 456 | $180,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 406 | $183,900 |
| Bellevue, WA | 337 | $165,200 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 272 | $184,662 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 248 | $185,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 242 | $133,464 |
| Boston, MA | 206 | $133,203 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 198 | $58,760 |
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 II role here (527 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $110,822.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 527 | $91,000 |
| Software Engineer | 361 | $97,760 |
| Assistant Professor | 352 | $110,822 |
| Research Associate-Postdegree Trainee | 237 | $55,000 |
| Research Scientist I | 197 | $67,000 |
| Research Scientist | 168 | $69,294 |
| Business Analyst | 86 | $84,864 |
| Architect | 78 | $108,534 |
| Project Manager | 76 | $104,291 |
| Senior Systems Analyst | 75 | $76,232 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II in Madison, WI is $75,967, based on 67 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 42% lower than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $130,146 across all U.S. locations. It is also 17% lower than the overall H-1B median of $91,312 in Madison, WI across all job titles.
Salaries span a $33,266 range from the 10th percentile ($61,734) to the 90th percentile ($95,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $65,545 and $89,981, 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 58 certified filings at a median salary of $77,286. Among the top employers, EXACT SCIENCES pays the highest median at $97,406. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Research Scientist II H-1B roles in Madison, WI, answered directly from 67 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 II salary in Madison, WI?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II positions in Madison, WI is $75,967, based on 67 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $61,734
- 25th percentile
- $65,545
- Median
- $75,967
- 75th percentile
- $89,981
- 90th percentile
- $95,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist II roles in Madison, WI shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $61,734, while the 90th percentile earns $95,000. This $33,266 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Research Scientist II salaries in Madison, WI are 40% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientist IIs in Madison, WI?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist II positions in Madison, WI are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist II roles specifically in Madison, WI. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM leads with 58 filings at a median salary of $77,286. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $60,000 to $97,406.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in Madison, WI?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in Madison, WI, 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, 67 H-1B positions for Research Scientist IIs 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.