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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Buffalo, NY

Employers have filed 155 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Buffalo, NY, with a median salary of $66,000. That's 31% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations, and 32% lower than the Buffalo, NY all-roles H-1B median of $97,406. 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 #2,092 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist hiring.

$66,000
Median Salary
155
Certified Filings
$54,392
10th Percentile
$90,000
90th Percentile

Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Buffalo, NY

The pay distribution for this role spans $35,608 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $58,198 and $76,500, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $66,000 sits 31% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.

10th percentile
$54,392
25th percentile
$58,198
Median
$66,000
75th percentile
$76,500
90th percentile
$90,000
Middle 50% of Research Scientist H-1B salaries in Buffalo, NY: $58,198 to $76,500

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 (70% 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 68%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 68% ($63,232 at RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF SUNY AT BUFFALO to $106,395 at HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL)

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.

vs. National Research Scientist
-31%
31% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000.
vs. Buffalo, NY Average
-32%
32% lower than the overall H-1B median in Buffalo, NY ($97,406).

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 Buffalo, NY. 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 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 (282 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Physician at a median of $289,874.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Assistant Professor 282 $97,356
Physician 165 $289,874
Software Developer 111 $98,717
Software Engineer 86 $100,000
Software Engineer II 77 $98,509
Software Engineer III 76 $121,077
Staff Physician 73 $230,000
Associate Research Associate 56 $56,368

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Buffalo, NY is $66,000, based on 155 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 $95,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 32% lower than the overall H-1B median of $97,406 in Buffalo, NY across all job titles.

Salaries span a $35,608 range from the 10th percentile ($54,392) to the 90th percentile ($90,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $58,198 and $76,500, 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 68%, 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 155 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 $66,000, based on 155 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$54,392
25th percentile
$58,198
Median
$66,000
75th percentile
$76,500
90th percentile
$90,000

The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Buffalo, NY shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $54,392, while the 90th percentile earns $90,000. This $35,608 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 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 $63,232 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:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 155 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.