Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Employers have filed 218 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Ann Arbor, MI, with a median salary of $88,260. That's 10% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations, and 6% higher than the Ann Arbor, MI all-roles H-1B median of $83,179. Research Scientist ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from Ann Arbor, MI.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Ann Arbor, MI, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,535 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Ann Arbor, MI
The pay distribution for this role spans $60,180 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $78,100 and $110,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $88,260 sits 10% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $66,700
- 25th percentile
- $78,100
- Median
- $88,260
- 75th percentile
- $110,000
- 90th percentile
- $126,880
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Ann Arbor, MI
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Ann Arbor, MI, with 127 certified filings (58% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $85,883. Among the top sponsors, KLA pays the highest median at $122,643. The pay spread across top employers is 123%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 123% ($54,995 at STABILUX BIOSCIENCES to $122,643 at KLA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | 127 | $85,883 |
| KLA | 29 | $122,643 |
| FORD MOTOR | 10 | $88,260 |
| STABILUX BIOSCIENCES | 4 | $54,995 |
| ACRO SERVICE | 4 | $112,694 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Research Scientist 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 Ann Arbor, MI, which tells you whether Research Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Research Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Research Scientist is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (2,020) outside Ann Arbor, MI. The highest median among these is Mountain View, CA at $187,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 2,020 | $119,340 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,579 | $186,200 |
| Cambridge, MA | 1,396 | $109,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 1,053 | $150,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 948 | $187,000 |
| Bellevue, WA | 930 | $166,574 |
| Boston, MA | 755 | $89,100 |
| Seattle, WA | 723 | $160,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 706 | $164,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 629 | $80,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Ann Arbor, MI, ranked by certified filing volume. Principal Research Associate is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (1,023 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $123,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Principal Research Associate | 1,023 | $58,800 |
| Software Engineer | 419 | $99,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 352 | $123,000 |
| Research Investigator | 259 | $67,500 |
| Software Developer | 209 | $83,075 |
| Research Lab Specialist Associate | 98 | $46,987 |
| Research Lab Specialist Intermediate | 92 | $59,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 81 | $120,000 |
| QA Engineer | 65 | $86,000 |
| Research Associate | 58 | $65,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Ann Arbor, MI is $88,260, based on 218 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 10% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $83,179 in Ann Arbor, MI across all job titles.
Salaries span a $60,180 range from the 10th percentile ($66,700) to the 90th percentile ($126,880). The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,100 and $110,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Ann Arbor, MI, with 127 certified filings at a median salary of $85,883. Among the top employers, KLA pays the highest median at $122,643. The pay spread across top employers is 123%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Research Scientist H-1B roles in Ann Arbor, MI, answered directly from 218 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 salary in Ann Arbor, MI?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Ann Arbor, MI is $88,260, based on 218 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $66,700
- 25th percentile
- $78,100
- Median
- $88,260
- 75th percentile
- $110,000
- 90th percentile
- $126,880
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Ann Arbor, MI shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $66,700, while the 90th percentile earns $126,880. This $60,180 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 salaries in Ann Arbor, MI are 30% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Ann Arbor, MI?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Ann Arbor, MI are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Ann Arbor, MI. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN leads with 127 filings at a median salary of $85,883. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $54,995 to $122,643.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Ann Arbor, MI?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Ann Arbor, MI, 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, 218 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Ann Arbor, MI 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.