Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Houston, TX
Employers have filed 533 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Houston, TX, with a median salary of $73,950. That's 22% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 22% lower than the Houston, TX all-roles H-1B median of $95,000. Research Scientist ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from Houston, TX.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Houston, TX, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #429 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Houston, TX
The pay distribution for this role spans $76,420 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $63,500 and $100,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $73,950 sits 22% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $57,680
- 25th percentile
- $63,500
- Median
- $73,950
- 75th percentile
- $100,000
- 90th percentile
- $134,100
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Houston, TX
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Houston, TX, with 161 certified filings (30% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $67,500. Among the top sponsors, THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $92,000. The pay spread across top employers is 53%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 53% ($60,000 at A & B ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES to $92,000 at THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | 161 | $67,500 |
| W.M. RICE UNIVERSITY | 43 | $70,000 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON | 38 | $65,528 |
| THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 33 | $92,000 |
| A & B ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES | 28 | $60,000 |
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 Houston, TX, 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 Houston, TX. 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 Houston, TX
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Houston, TX, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (5,041 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Consultant at a median of $117,998.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 5,041 | $92,000 |
| Software Engineer | 2,318 | $93,600 |
| Consultant | 1,408 | $93,226 |
| Architect | 1,148 | $94,598 |
| Principal Research Associate | 841 | $57,456 |
| Project Manager | 803 | $100,000 |
| Accountant | 786 | $74,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 768 | $110,000 |
| Senior Consultant | 721 | $117,998 |
| Systems Analyst | 568 | $95,500 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Houston, TX is $73,950, based on 533 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 22% lower than the overall H-1B median of $95,000 in Houston, TX across all job titles.
Salaries span a $76,420 range from the 10th percentile ($57,680) to the 90th percentile ($134,100). The middle 50% of workers earn between $63,500 and $100,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Houston, TX, with 161 certified filings at a median salary of $67,500. Among the top employers, THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $92,000. 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 Houston, TX, answered directly from 533 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 Houston, TX?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Houston, TX is $73,950, based on 533 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $57,680
- 25th percentile
- $63,500
- Median
- $73,950
- 75th percentile
- $100,000
- 90th percentile
- $134,100
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Houston, TX shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $57,680, while the 90th percentile earns $134,100. This $76,420 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 Houston, TX are 43% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Houston, TX?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Houston, TX are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Houston, TX. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER leads with 161 filings at a median salary of $67,500. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $60,000 to $92,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Houston, TX?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Houston, TX, 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, 533 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Houston, TX 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.