Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Grand Rapids, MI
Employers have filed 56 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Grand Rapids, MI, with a median salary of $73,500. That's 22% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 10% lower than the Grand Rapids, MI all-roles H-1B median of $81,900. Research Scientist ranks #7 among H-1B job titles filed from Grand Rapids, MI.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Grand Rapids, MI, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,019 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 Grand Rapids, MI
The pay distribution for this role spans $17,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $66,151 and $78,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $73,500 sits 22% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $63,000
- 25th percentile
- $66,151
- Median
- $73,500
- 75th percentile
- $78,000
- 90th percentile
- $80,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Grand Rapids, MI
VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Grand Rapids, MI, with 51 certified filings (91% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $73,500. Among the top sponsors, CORIUM INNOVATIONS pays the highest median at $87,000. The pay spread across top employers is 53%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 53% ($57,000 at EMPIRICAL BIOSCIENCE to $87,000 at CORIUM INNOVATIONS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 51 | $73,500 |
| FORTIS LIFE SCIENCES | 2 | $68,811 |
| EMPIRICAL BIOSCIENCE | 1 | $57,000 |
| CORIUM INNOVATIONS | 1 | $87,000 |
| ARRAY OF ENGINEERS | 1 | $80,000 |
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 Grand Rapids, MI, 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 Grand Rapids, MI. 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 Grand Rapids, MI
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Grand Rapids, MI, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (261 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Physician at a median of $208,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 261 | $79,498 |
| Software Engineer | 116 | $82,100 |
| Architect | 105 | $69,950 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 97 | $123,326 |
| Physician | 82 | $208,000 |
| Consultant II | 79 | $67,392 |
| Assistant Professor | 56 | $102,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Grand Rapids, MI is $73,500, based on 56 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 22% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 10% lower than the overall H-1B median of $81,900 in Grand Rapids, MI across all job titles.
Salaries span a $17,000 range from the 10th percentile ($63,000) to the 90th percentile ($80,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $66,151 and $78,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Grand Rapids, MI, with 51 certified filings at a median salary of $73,500. Among the top employers, CORIUM INNOVATIONS pays the highest median at $87,000. The pay spread across top employers is 53%, 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 Grand Rapids, MI, answered directly from 56 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 Grand Rapids, MI?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Grand Rapids, MI is $73,500, based on 56 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $63,000
- 25th percentile
- $66,151
- Median
- $73,500
- 75th percentile
- $78,000
- 90th percentile
- $80,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Grand Rapids, MI shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $63,000, while the 90th percentile earns $80,000. This $17,000 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 Grand Rapids, MI are 44% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Grand Rapids, MI?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Grand Rapids, MI are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Grand Rapids, MI. VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE leads with 51 filings at a median salary of $73,500. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $57,000 to $87,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Grand Rapids, MI?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Grand Rapids, MI, 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, 56 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Grand Rapids, MI 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.