Research Scientist II H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 1,087 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist II positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $157,000. That's 24% higher than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $126,684 across all U.S. locations, and 11% higher than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,000. Research Scientist II ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist II H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #151 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Scientist II hiring.
Research Scientist II H-1B Salary Range in Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $57,816 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $144,000 and $170,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientist IIs land. The median of $157,000 sits 24% higher than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $124,384
- 25th percentile
- $144,000
- Median
- $157,000
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $182,200
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientist IIs in Seattle, WA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist II in Seattle, WA, with 1,002 certified filings (92% of local Research Scientist II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $159,000. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON ADVERTISING pays the highest median at $175,000. The pay spread across top employers is 180%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 180% ($62,400 at SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL to $175,000 at AMAZON ADVERTISING)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 1,002 | $159,000 |
| ALLEN INSTITUTE | 40 | $95,000 |
| SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | 10 | $62,400 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | 6 | $75,900 |
| AMAZON ADVERTISING | 4 | $175,000 |
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 Seattle, WA, 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. Cambridge, MA has the most filings (437) outside Seattle, WA. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| San Diego, CA | 198 | $125,000 |
| 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 Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist II role here (9,911 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $184,900.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,911 | $158,500 |
| Software Engineer II | 7,913 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,155 | $125,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,174 | $149,500 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,094 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,998 | $176,000 |
| Program Manager III | 1,470 | $147,630 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,311 | $184,900 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 1,191 | $120,000 |
| Program Manager II | 1,170 | $119,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II in Seattle, WA is $157,000, based on 1,087 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 24% higher than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $126,684 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% higher than the overall H-1B median of $142,000 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $57,816 range from the 10th percentile ($124,384) to the 90th percentile ($182,200). The middle 50% of workers earn between $144,000 and $170,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 1,002 certified filings at a median salary of $159,000. Among the top employers, AMAZON ADVERTISING pays the highest median at $175,000. The pay spread across top employers is 180%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 1,087 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II positions in Seattle, WA is $157,000, based on 1,087 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $124,384
- 25th percentile
- $144,000
- Median
- $157,000
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $182,200
The salary distribution for Research Scientist II roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $124,384, while the 90th percentile earns $182,200. This $57,816 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 Seattle, WA are 20% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientist IIs in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist II positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist II roles specifically in Seattle, WA. AMAZON leads with 1,002 filings at a median salary of $159,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $62,400 to $175,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in Seattle, WA, 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, 1,087 H-1B positions for Research Scientist IIs in Seattle, WA 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.