Research Scientist II H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 198 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist II positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $125,000. That's 1% lower than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $126,684 across all U.S. locations, and 4% higher than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,000. Research Scientist II ranks #19 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist II H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,542 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Scientist II hiring.
Research Scientist II H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $86,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $102,000 and $155,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientist IIs land. The median of $125,000 sits 1% lower than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $85,000
- 25th percentile
- $102,000
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $155,000
- 90th percentile
- $171,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientist IIs in San Diego, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist II in San Diego, CA, with 84 certified filings (42% of local Research Scientist II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $157,300. The pay spread across top employers is 57%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 57% ($99,944 at ILLUMINA to $157,300 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 84 | $157,300 |
| TUSIMPLE | 25 | $110,136 |
| ILLUMINA | 19 | $99,944 |
| GENOMATICA | 6 | $117,512 |
| TAKEDA DEVELOPMENT CENTER AMERICAS | 4 | $137,000 |
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 San Diego, 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 (1,087) outside San Diego, 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 | 1,087 | $157,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 437 | $115,828 |
| New York, NY | 350 | $175,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 343 | $180,274 |
| Bellevue, WA | 258 | $165,000 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 235 | $183,500 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 191 | $58,344 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 179 | $185,000 |
| Boston, MA | 176 | $125,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | 142 | $88,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist II role here (2,661 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,661 | $122,720 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,640 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,404 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 753 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 606 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 524 | $111,322 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 448 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 352 | $128,502 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 348 | $108,930 |
| Systems Engineer | 315 | $108,766 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II in San Diego, CA is $125,000, based on 198 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 1% lower than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $126,684 across all U.S. locations. It is also 4% higher than the overall H-1B median of $120,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $86,000 range from the 10th percentile ($85,000) to the 90th percentile ($171,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $102,000 and $155,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 84 certified filings at a median salary of $157,300. The pay spread across top employers is 57%, 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 San Diego, CA, answered directly from 198 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 San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II positions in San Diego, CA is $125,000, based on 198 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $85,000
- 25th percentile
- $102,000
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $155,000
- 90th percentile
- $171,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist II roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $85,000, while the 90th percentile earns $171,000. This $86,000 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 II salaries in San Diego, CA are 4% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientist IIs in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist II positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist II roles specifically in San Diego, CA. AMAZON leads with 84 filings at a median salary of $157,300. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $99,944 to $157,300.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in San Diego, 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, 198 H-1B positions for Research Scientist IIs in San Diego, 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.