Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Davis, CA
Employers have filed 163 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Davis, CA, with a median salary of $75,800. That's 20% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 9% lower than the Davis, CA all-roles H-1B median of $82,900. Research Scientist ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Davis, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Davis, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,912 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 Davis, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $28,500 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $70,900 and $84,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $75,800 sits 20% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $66,600
- 25th percentile
- $70,900
- Median
- $75,800
- 75th percentile
- $84,000
- 90th percentile
- $95,100
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Davis, CA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Davis, CA, with 152 certified filings (93% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $75,800. Among the top sponsors, ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND pays the highest median at $120,000. The pay spread across top employers is 80%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 80% ($66,789 at MARRONE BIO INNOVATIONS to $120,000 at ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS | 152 | $75,800 |
| ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND | 2 | $120,000 |
| NIVAGEN PHARMACEUTICALS | 2 | $80,000 |
| MARRONE BIO INNOVATIONS | 1 | $66,789 |
| WATERCOURSE ENGINEERING | 1 | $78,000 |
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 Davis, 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 (1,699) outside Davis, CA. 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 Davis, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Davis, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Associate is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (235 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $116,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Associate | 235 | $64,008 |
| Assistant Professor | 133 | $116,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Davis, CA is $75,800, based on 163 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 20% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 9% lower than the overall H-1B median of $82,900 in Davis, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $28,500 range from the 10th percentile ($66,600) to the 90th percentile ($95,100). The middle 50% of workers earn between $70,900 and $84,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Davis, CA, with 152 certified filings at a median salary of $75,800. Among the top employers, ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND pays the highest median at $120,000. The pay spread across top employers is 80%, 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 Davis, CA, answered directly from 163 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 Davis, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Davis, CA is $75,800, based on 163 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $66,600
- 25th percentile
- $70,900
- Median
- $75,800
- 75th percentile
- $84,000
- 90th percentile
- $95,100
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Davis, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $66,600, while the 90th percentile earns $95,100. This $28,500 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 Davis, CA are 42% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Davis, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Davis, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Davis, CA. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS leads with 152 filings at a median salary of $75,800. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $66,789 to $120,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Davis, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Davis, 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, 163 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Davis, 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.