Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Buffalo, NY
Employers have filed 151 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Buffalo, NY, with a median salary of $65,708. That's 31% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 31% lower than the Buffalo, NY all-roles H-1B median of $95,871. Research Scientist ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Buffalo, NY.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Buffalo, NY, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,072 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Buffalo, NY
The pay distribution for this role spans $32,608 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $58,000 and $76,003, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $65,708 sits 31% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $54,392
- 25th percentile
- $58,000
- Median
- $65,708
- 75th percentile
- $76,003
- 90th percentile
- $87,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Buffalo, NY
RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF SUNY AT BUFFALO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Buffalo, NY, with 109 certified filings (72% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $63,232. Among the top sponsors, HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL pays the highest median at $106,395. The pay spread across top employers is 98%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 98% ($53,830 at CHOCOLATE DELIVERY SYSTEMS to $106,395 at HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF SUNY AT BUFFALO | 109 | $63,232 |
| HEALTH RESEARCH . - ROSWELL PARK DIVISION | 13 | $82,600 |
| KALEIDA HEALTH | 11 | $77,501 |
| HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL | 2 | $106,395 |
| CHOCOLATE DELIVERY SYSTEMS | 2 | $53,830 |
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 Buffalo, NY, 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 (1,699) outside Buffalo, NY. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $182,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 1,699 | $100,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 1,264 | $108,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,206 | $182,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 1,013 | $149,867 |
| Bellevue, WA | 842 | $161,378 |
| Mountain View, CA | 756 | $181,000 |
| Boston, MA | 658 | $88,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 636 | $160,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 591 | $80,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 577 | $156,562 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Buffalo, NY
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Buffalo, NY, ranked by certified filing volume. Assistant Professor is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (274 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Physician at a median of $280,966.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | 274 | $97,850 |
| Physician | 160 | $280,966 |
| Software Developer | 107 | $98,717 |
| Software Engineer | 80 | $95,264 |
| Software Engineer II | 77 | $98,509 |
| Software Engineer III | 76 | $121,077 |
| Staff Physician | 71 | $225,000 |
| Associate Research Associate | 56 | $56,368 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Buffalo, NY is $65,708, based on 151 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 31% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 31% lower than the overall H-1B median of $95,871 in Buffalo, NY across all job titles.
Salaries span a $32,608 range from the 10th percentile ($54,392) to the 90th percentile ($87,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $58,000 and $76,003, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF SUNY AT BUFFALO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Buffalo, NY, with 109 certified filings at a median salary of $63,232. Among the top employers, HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL pays the highest median at $106,395. The pay spread across top employers is 98%, 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 Buffalo, NY, answered directly from 151 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 Buffalo, NY?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Buffalo, NY is $65,708, based on 151 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $54,392
- 25th percentile
- $58,000
- Median
- $65,708
- 75th percentile
- $76,003
- 90th percentile
- $87,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Buffalo, NY shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $54,392, while the 90th percentile earns $87,000. This $32,608 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Research Scientist salaries in Buffalo, NY are 50% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Buffalo, NY?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Buffalo, NY are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Buffalo, NY. RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF SUNY AT BUFFALO leads with 109 filings at a median salary of $63,232. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $53,830 to $106,395.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Buffalo, NY?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Buffalo, NY, 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, 151 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Buffalo, NY 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.