Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Irvine, CA
Employers have filed 168 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Irvine, CA, with a median salary of $80,800. That's 15% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 28% lower than the Irvine, CA all-roles H-1B median of $112,902. Research Scientist ranks #10 among H-1B job titles filed from Irvine, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Irvine, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,857 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 Irvine, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $52,300 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $71,500 and $100,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $80,800 sits 15% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $65,700
- 25th percentile
- $71,500
- Median
- $80,800
- 75th percentile
- $100,000
- 90th percentile
- $118,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Irvine, CA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Irvine, CA, with 97 certified filings (58% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $74,300. Among the top sponsors, ABBVIE pays the highest median at $110,000. The pay spread across top employers is 48%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 48% ($74,300 at UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE to $110,000 at ABBVIE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE | 97 | $74,300 |
| JAMES R. GLIDEWELL DENTAL CERAMICS | 12 | $90,000 |
| ABBVIE | 7 | $110,000 |
| ALLERGAN SALES | 5 | $108,398 |
| CYTOCHIP | 3 | $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 Irvine, 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 Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Irvine, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (903 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $146,100.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 903 | $124,987 |
| Software Developer | 704 | $102,544 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 366 | $140,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 299 | $146,100 |
| Accountant | 282 | $80,000 |
| Architect | 276 | $109,782 |
| Project Manager | 205 | $103,355 |
| Software Engineer I | 202 | $123,000 |
| Consultant | 191 | $91,652 |
| Business Analyst | 165 | $91,791 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Irvine, CA is $80,800, based on 168 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 15% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 28% lower than the overall H-1B median of $112,902 in Irvine, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $52,300 range from the 10th percentile ($65,700) to the 90th percentile ($118,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $71,500 and $100,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Irvine, CA, with 97 certified filings at a median salary of $74,300. Among the top employers, ABBVIE pays the highest median at $110,000. The pay spread across top employers is 48%, 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 Irvine, CA, answered directly from 168 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 Irvine, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Irvine, CA is $80,800, based on 168 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $65,700
- 25th percentile
- $71,500
- Median
- $80,800
- 75th percentile
- $100,000
- 90th percentile
- $118,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Irvine, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $65,700, while the 90th percentile earns $118,000. This $52,300 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 Irvine, CA are 38% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Irvine, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Irvine, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Irvine, CA. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE leads with 97 filings at a median salary of $74,300. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $74,300 to $110,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Irvine, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Irvine, 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, 168 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Irvine, 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.