Research Scientist II H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 272 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist II positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $184,662. That's 42% higher than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $130,146 across all U.S. locations, and 12% higher than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $165,000. Research Scientist II ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist II H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,181 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Scientist II hiring.
Research Scientist II H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $72,100 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $173,438 and $200,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientist IIs land. The median of $184,662 sits 42% higher than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $139,500
- 25th percentile
- $173,438
- Median
- $184,662
- 75th percentile
- $200,000
- 90th percentile
- $211,600
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientist IIs in Palo Alto, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist II in Palo Alto, CA, with 201 certified filings (74% of local Research Scientist II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $185,000. The pay spread across top employers is 121%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 121% ($83,803 at ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE to $185,000 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 201 | $185,000 |
| A9.COM | 28 | $180,274 |
| A9.COM | 13 | $179,000 |
| ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 11 | $83,803 |
| AMAZON.COM SERVICES | 4 | $180,000 |
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 Palo Alto, CA, 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 Palo Alto, CA. 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 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 248 | $185,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 242 | $133,464 |
| Boston, MA | 206 | $133,203 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 198 | $58,760 |
| Atlanta, GA | 165 | $88,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Palo Alto, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist II role here (2,407 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $210,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,407 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,318 | $184,600 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 1,006 | $142,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 695 | $172,931 |
| Research Scientist | 463 | $145,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 423 | $210,000 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 288 | $145,000 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 284 | $174,304 |
| Staff Engineer | 282 | $207,500 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II in Palo Alto, CA is $184,662, based on 272 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 42% higher than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $130,146 across all U.S. locations. It is also 12% higher than the overall H-1B median of $165,000 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $72,100 range from the 10th percentile ($139,500) to the 90th percentile ($211,600). The middle 50% of workers earn between $173,438 and $200,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Palo Alto, CA, with 201 certified filings at a median salary of $185,000. The pay spread across top employers is 121%, 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 Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 272 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 Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II positions in Palo Alto, CA is $184,662, based on 272 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $139,500
- 25th percentile
- $173,438
- Median
- $184,662
- 75th percentile
- $200,000
- 90th percentile
- $211,600
The salary distribution for Research Scientist II roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $139,500, while the 90th percentile earns $211,600. This $72,100 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 Palo Alto, CA are 46% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientist IIs in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist II positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist II roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. AMAZON leads with 201 filings at a median salary of $185,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $83,803 to $185,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in Palo Alto, 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, 272 H-1B positions for Research Scientist IIs in Palo Alto, 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.