Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Boston, MA
Employers have filed 688 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Boston, MA, with a median salary of $86,700. That's 9% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations, and 21% lower than the Boston, MA all-roles H-1B median of $110,000. Research Scientist ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from Boston, MA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Boston, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #319 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Boston, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $77,136 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $69,999 and $111,238, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $86,700 sits 9% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $60,112
- 25th percentile
- $69,999
- Median
- $86,700
- 75th percentile
- $111,238
- 90th percentile
- $137,248
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Boston, MA
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Boston, MA, with 88 certified filings (13% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $70,000. Among the top sponsors, VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED pays the highest median at $109,444. The pay spread across top employers is 56%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 56% ($70,000 at BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL to $109,444 at VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | 88 | $70,000 |
| TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY | 77 | $70,000 |
| VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED | 71 | $109,444 |
| DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | 52 | $88,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | 52 | $88,620 |
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 Boston, MA, 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 Boston, MA. 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 |
| Seattle, WA | 673 | $160,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 613 | $158,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 607 | $80,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 558 | $72,800 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Boston, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boston, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Fellow is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (1,863 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $146,100.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Fellow | 1,863 | $65,000 |
| Software Engineer | 1,394 | $110,240 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,378 | $135,658 |
| Software Engineer II | 943 | $146,100 |
| Software Developer | 908 | $105,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 726 | $121,296 |
| Consultant | 701 | $115,000 |
| Accountant | 587 | $91,441 |
| Architect | 556 | $91,874 |
| Data Scientist | 524 | $115,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Boston, MA is $86,700, based on 688 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 9% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 21% lower than the overall H-1B median of $110,000 in Boston, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $77,136 range from the 10th percentile ($60,112) to the 90th percentile ($137,248). The middle 50% of workers earn between $69,999 and $111,238, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boston, MA, with 88 certified filings at a median salary of $70,000. Among the top employers, VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED pays the highest median at $109,444. The pay spread across top employers is 56%, 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 Boston, MA, answered directly from 688 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 Boston, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Boston, MA is $86,700, based on 688 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $60,112
- 25th percentile
- $69,999
- Median
- $86,700
- 75th percentile
- $111,238
- 90th percentile
- $137,248
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Boston, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $60,112, while the 90th percentile earns $137,248. This $77,136 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 Boston, MA are 34% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Boston, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Boston, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Boston, MA. BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL leads with 88 filings at a median salary of $70,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $70,000 to $109,444.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Boston, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Boston, MA, 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, 688 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Boston, MA 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.