Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Berkeley, CA
Employers have filed 271 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Berkeley, CA, with a median salary of $88,816. That's 7% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations, and 15% lower than the Berkeley, CA all-roles H-1B median of $104,906. Research Scientist ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Berkeley, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Berkeley, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,095 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Berkeley, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $71,944 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $78,853 and $120,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $88,816 sits 7% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $72,800
- 25th percentile
- $78,853
- Median
- $88,816
- 75th percentile
- $120,000
- 90th percentile
- $144,744
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Berkeley, CA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Berkeley, CA, with 134 certified filings (49% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $79,300. Among the top sponsors, SIEMENS pays the highest median at $138,567. The pay spread across top employers is 99%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 99% ($69,556 at KENT STATE UNIVERSITY to $138,567 at SIEMENS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY | 134 | $79,300 |
| LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY | 70 | $124,920 |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER SCIENCE INSTITUTE | 8 | $94,910 |
| KENT STATE UNIVERSITY | 6 | $69,556 |
| SIEMENS | 6 | $138,567 |
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 Berkeley, CA, 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 (1,816) outside Berkeley, CA. The highest median among these is Mountain View, CA at $184,662. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 1,816 | $105,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 1,312 | $108,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,306 | $182,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 1,030 | $150,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 869 | $184,662 |
| Bellevue, WA | 867 | $162,300 |
| Boston, MA | 688 | $86,700 |
| Seattle, WA | 673 | $160,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 613 | $158,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 607 | $80,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Berkeley, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Berkeley, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Associate is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (666 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer at a median of $144,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Associate | 666 | $72,162 |
| Assistant Professor | 172 | $120,100 |
| Software Engineer | 95 | $144,000 |
| Lecturer | 55 | $74,575 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Berkeley, CA is $88,816, based on 271 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 7% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 15% lower than the overall H-1B median of $104,906 in Berkeley, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $71,944 range from the 10th percentile ($72,800) to the 90th percentile ($144,744). The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,853 and $120,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Berkeley, CA, with 134 certified filings at a median salary of $79,300. Among the top employers, SIEMENS pays the highest median at $138,567. The pay spread across top employers is 99%, 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 Berkeley, CA, answered directly from 271 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 Berkeley, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Berkeley, CA is $88,816, based on 271 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $72,800
- 25th percentile
- $78,853
- Median
- $88,816
- 75th percentile
- $120,000
- 90th percentile
- $144,744
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Berkeley, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $72,800, while the 90th percentile earns $144,744. This $71,944 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 salaries in Berkeley, CA are 32% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Berkeley, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Berkeley, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Berkeley, CA. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY leads with 134 filings at a median salary of $79,300. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $69,556 to $138,567.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Berkeley, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Berkeley, 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, 271 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Berkeley, 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.