Research Scientist III H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 69 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist III positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $212,656. That's 80% higher than the national Research Scientist III H-1B median of $118,000 across all U.S. locations, and 29% higher than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $164,349. Research Scientist III ranks #44 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist III H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,075 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist III hiring.
Research Scientist III H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $98,414 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $185,000 and $232,897, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientist IIIs land. The median of $212,656 sits 80% higher than the national Research Scientist III H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $141,586
- 25th percentile
- $185,000
- Median
- $212,656
- 75th percentile
- $232,897
- 90th percentile
- $240,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientist IIIs in Palo Alto, CA
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist III in Palo Alto, CA, with 44 certified filings (64% of local Research Scientist III H-1B filings) at a median salary of $224,682. The pay spread across top employers is 147%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 147% ($90,800 at ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE to $224,682 at AMAZON)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZON | 44 | $224,682 |
| A9.COM | 7 | $222,200 |
| A9.COM | 5 | $185,000 |
| SRI INTERNATIONAL | 4 | $137,093 |
| ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 3 | $90,800 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Research Scientist III 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 III pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Research Scientist III H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Research Scientist III is an active H-1B role. Seattle, WA has the most filings (385) outside Palo Alto, CA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $217,250. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 385 | $179,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 113 | $213,180 |
| Bellevue, WA | 100 | $188,210 |
| Austin, TX | 93 | $76,128 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 86 | $217,250 |
| New York, NY | 85 | $189,500 |
| Tucson, AZ | 74 | $60,889 |
| Baltimore, MD | 63 | $66,000 |
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 III role here (2,197 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 | 2,197 | $156,200 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,267 | $184,080 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 963 | $141,378 |
| Software Engineer II | 674 | $172,931 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 408 | $210,000 |
| Research Scientist | 383 | $140,067 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Staff Engineer | 282 | $207,500 |
| Data Scientist | 281 | $145,000 |
| Developer | 253 | $127,092 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist III in Palo Alto, CA is $212,656, based on 69 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 80% higher than the national Research Scientist III H-1B median of $118,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 29% higher than the overall H-1B median of $164,349 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $98,414 range from the 10th percentile ($141,586) to the 90th percentile ($240,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $185,000 and $232,897, 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 44 certified filings at a median salary of $224,682. The pay spread across top employers is 147%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Research Scientist III H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 69 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 III salary in Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist III positions in Palo Alto, CA is $212,656, based on 69 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $141,586
- 25th percentile
- $185,000
- Median
- $212,656
- 75th percentile
- $232,897
- 90th percentile
- $240,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist III roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $141,586, while the 90th percentile earns $240,000. This $98,414 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 III salaries in Palo Alto, CA are 63% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientist IIIs in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist III positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist III roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. AMAZON leads with 44 filings at a median salary of $224,682. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $90,800 to $224,682.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist III in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist III 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, 69 H-1B positions for Research Scientist IIIs 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.