Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Foster City, CA
Employers have filed 141 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Foster City, CA, with a median salary of $128,752. That's 36% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations, and 7% lower than the Foster City, CA all-roles H-1B median of $138,341. Research Scientist ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from Foster City, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Foster City, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,336 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Foster City, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $31,059 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $115,066 and $137,072, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $128,752 sits 36% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $109,741
- 25th percentile
- $115,066
- Median
- $128,752
- 75th percentile
- $137,072
- 90th percentile
- $140,800
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Foster City, CA
GILEAD SCIENCES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Foster City, CA, with 122 certified filings (87% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $128,752. Among the top sponsors, ZOOX pays the highest median at $150,000. The pay spread across top employers is 80%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 80% ($83,200 at EUROFINS LANCASTER LABORATORIES, PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC SERVICES to $150,000 at ZOOX)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| GILEAD SCIENCES | 122 | $128,752 |
| MEDGENOME | 4 | $112,258 |
| TRUEBINDING | 3 | $107,400 |
| EUROFINS LANCASTER LABORATORIES, PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC SERVICES | 2 | $83,200 |
| ZOOX | 2 | $150,000 |
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 Foster City, 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 Foster City, 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 Foster City, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Foster City, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (521 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Director at a median of $167,700.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 521 | $149,867 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 502 | $144,340 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 319 | $147,368 |
| Director | 150 | $167,700 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 139 | $113,277 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 132 | $144,126 |
| Data Scientist | 120 | $121,600 |
| QA Engineer | 118 | $123,261 |
| Software Developer | 106 | $121,000 |
| Senior Data Engineer | 97 | $139,589 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Foster City, CA is $128,752, based on 141 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 36% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% lower than the overall H-1B median of $138,341 in Foster City, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $31,059 range from the 10th percentile ($109,741) to the 90th percentile ($140,800). The middle 50% of workers earn between $115,066 and $137,072, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GILEAD SCIENCES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Foster City, CA, with 122 certified filings at a median salary of $128,752. Among the top employers, ZOOX pays the highest median at $150,000. 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 Foster City, CA, answered directly from 141 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 Foster City, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Foster City, CA is $128,752, based on 141 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $109,741
- 25th percentile
- $115,066
- Median
- $128,752
- 75th percentile
- $137,072
- 90th percentile
- $140,800
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Foster City, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $109,741, while the 90th percentile earns $140,800. This $31,059 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 Foster City, CA are 1% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Foster City, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Foster City, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Foster City, CA. GILEAD SCIENCES leads with 122 filings at a median salary of $128,752. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $83,200 to $150,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Foster City, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Foster City, 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, 141 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Foster City, 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.