Research Scientist II H-1B Salary in South San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 71 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist II positions in South San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $120,000. That's 5% lower than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $126,684 across all U.S. locations, and 10% lower than the South San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $133,200. Research Scientist II ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from South San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist II H-1B roles in South San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,930 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist II hiring.
Research Scientist II H-1B Salary Range in South San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $46,112 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $106,288 and $133,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientist IIs land. The median of $120,000 sits 5% lower than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $95,888
- 25th percentile
- $106,288
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $133,000
- 90th percentile
- $142,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientist IIs in South San Francisco, CA
ABBVIE BIOTHERAPEUTICS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist II in South San Francisco, CA, with 17 certified filings (24% of local Research Scientist II H-1B filings) at a median salary of $110,000. Among the top sponsors, RAPT THERAPEUTICS, . (FORMERLY FLX BIO, .) pays the highest median at $142,000. The pay spread across top employers is 42%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 42% ($100,000 at CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES to $142,000 at RAPT THERAPEUTICS, . (FORMERLY FLX BIO, .))
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ABBVIE BIOTHERAPEUTICS | 17 | $110,000 |
| INSITRO | 5 | $120,000 |
| CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES | 3 | $100,000 |
| RAPT THERAPEUTICS, . (FORMERLY FLX BIO, .) | 3 | $142,000 |
| GENENTECH | 3 | $101,816 |
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 South San Francisco, 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 (1,113) outside South San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $184,662. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 1,113 | $157,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 448 | $116,480 |
| New York, NY | 362 | $175,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 348 | $180,274 |
| Bellevue, WA | 275 | $164,300 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 240 | $183,500 |
| San Diego, CA | 202 | $125,201 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 198 | $58,760 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 190 | $184,662 |
| Boston, MA | 183 | $124,700 |
Other H-1B Jobs in South San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from South San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Scientist is the busiest non-Research Scientist II role here (390 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $170,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | 390 | $125,278 |
| Software Engineer | 277 | $155,605 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 219 | $139,000 |
| Consultant | 150 | $160,000 |
| Data Scientist | 86 | $142,000 |
| Senior Research Associate | 85 | $103,771 |
| Architect | 83 | $121,764 |
| Associate Consultant | 67 | $135,100 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 59 | $170,000 |
| Project Manager | 51 | $121,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II in South San Francisco, CA is $120,000, based on 71 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 5% lower than the national Research Scientist II H-1B median of $126,684 across all U.S. locations. It is also 10% lower than the overall H-1B median of $133,200 in South San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $46,112 range from the 10th percentile ($95,888) to the 90th percentile ($142,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $106,288 and $133,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ABBVIE BIOTHERAPEUTICS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in South San Francisco, CA, with 17 certified filings at a median salary of $110,000. Among the top employers, RAPT THERAPEUTICS, . (FORMERLY FLX BIO, .) pays the highest median at $142,000. The pay spread across top employers is 42%, 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 South San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 71 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 South San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist II positions in South San Francisco, CA is $120,000, based on 71 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $95,888
- 25th percentile
- $106,288
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $133,000
- 90th percentile
- $142,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist II roles in South San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $95,888, while the 90th percentile earns $142,000. This $46,112 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Research Scientist II salaries in South San Francisco, CA are 8% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientist IIs in South San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist II positions in South San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist II roles specifically in South San Francisco, CA. ABBVIE BIOTHERAPEUTICS leads with 17 filings at a median salary of $110,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $100,000 to $142,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in South San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist II in South San Francisco, 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, 71 H-1B positions for Research Scientist IIs in South San Francisco, 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.