Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Bellevue, WA
Employers have filed 930 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Bellevue, WA, with a median salary of $166,574. That's 70% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations, and 16% higher than the Bellevue, WA all-roles H-1B median of $144,123. Research Scientist ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from Bellevue, WA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Bellevue, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #219 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Bellevue, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $86,356 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $142,000 and $194,484, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $166,574 sits 70% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $129,000
- 25th percentile
- $142,000
- Median
- $166,574
- 75th percentile
- $194,484
- 90th percentile
- $215,356
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Bellevue, WA
MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Bellevue, WA, with 434 certified filings (47% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $143,100. Among the top sponsors, TIKTOK pays the highest median at $230,400. The pay spread across top employers is 61%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 61% ($143,100 at MICROSOFT to $230,400 at TIKTOK)
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 Bellevue, WA, 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 Bellevue, WA. 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 |
| Boston, MA | 755 | $89,100 |
| Seattle, WA | 723 | $160,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 706 | $164,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 629 | $80,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 604 | $75,300 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Bellevue, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Bellevue, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (8,681 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $175,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,681 | $163,862 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,582 | $175,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,543 | $154,400 |
| Architect | 940 | $99,600 |
| Software Developer | 827 | $119,350 |
| Software Engineer I | 763 | $129,000 |
| Software Dev Engineer II | 693 | $170,200 |
| Software Engineer III | 639 | $171,996 |
| Product Manager III | 578 | $151,200 |
| Program Manager III | 568 | $143,400 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Bellevue, WA is $166,574, based on 930 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 70% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations. It is also 16% higher than the overall H-1B median of $144,123 in Bellevue, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $86,356 range from the 10th percentile ($129,000) to the 90th percentile ($215,356). The middle 50% of workers earn between $142,000 and $194,484, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
MICROSOFT is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Bellevue, WA, with 434 certified filings at a median salary of $143,100. Among the top employers, TIKTOK pays the highest median at $230,400. The pay spread across top employers is 61%, 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 Bellevue, WA, answered directly from 930 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 Bellevue, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Bellevue, WA is $166,574, based on 930 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $129,000
- 25th percentile
- $142,000
- Median
- $166,574
- 75th percentile
- $194,484
- 90th percentile
- $215,356
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Bellevue, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $129,000, while the 90th percentile earns $215,356. This $86,356 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 Bellevue, WA are 32% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Bellevue, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Bellevue, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Bellevue, WA. MICROSOFT leads with 434 filings at a median salary of $143,100. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $143,100 to $230,400.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Bellevue, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Bellevue, 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, 930 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Bellevue, 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.