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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Lexington, KY

Employers have filed 68 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Lexington, KY, with a median salary of $56,576. That's 40% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 30% lower than the Lexington, KY all-roles H-1B median of $80,400. Research Scientist ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Lexington, KY.

Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Lexington, KY, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,962 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist hiring.

$56,576
Median Salary
68
Certified Filings
$48,663
10th Percentile
$88,548
90th Percentile

Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Lexington, KY

The pay distribution for this role spans $39,885 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $52,889 and $65,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $56,576 sits 40% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.

10th percentile
$48,663
25th percentile
$52,889
Median
$56,576
75th percentile
$65,000
90th percentile
$88,548
Middle 50% of Research Scientist H-1B salaries in Lexington, KY: $52,889 to $65,000

Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Lexington, KY

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Lexington, KY, with 42 certified filings (62% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $53,270. Among the top sponsors, VALVOLINE pays the highest median at $122,830. The pay spread across top employers is 131%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 131% ($53,270 at UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY to $122,830 at VALVOLINE)

Employer Filings Median Salary
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY 42 $53,270
SAINT JOSEPH HEALTH SYSTEM 8 $64,750
MANAGEMENT HEALTH SYSTEMS 7 $56,576
PIRAMAL PHARMA SOLUTIONS 4 $70,000
VALVOLINE 1 $122,830

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 Lexington, KY, which tells you whether Research Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Research Scientist
-40%
40% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765.
vs. Lexington, KY Average
-30%
30% lower than the overall H-1B median in Lexington, KY ($80,400).

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 Lexington, KY. 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 Lexington, KY

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Lexington, KY, ranked by certified filing volume. Assistant Professor is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (329 filings).

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Assistant Professor 329 $190,600
Research Associate 79 $53,907

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Lexington, KY is $56,576, based on 68 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 40% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 30% lower than the overall H-1B median of $80,400 in Lexington, KY across all job titles.

Salaries span a $39,885 range from the 10th percentile ($48,663) to the 90th percentile ($88,548). The middle 50% of workers earn between $52,889 and $65,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Lexington, KY, with 42 certified filings at a median salary of $53,270. Among the top employers, VALVOLINE pays the highest median at $122,830. The pay spread across top employers is 131%, 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 Lexington, KY, answered directly from 68 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 Lexington, KY?

The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Lexington, KY is $56,576, based on 68 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$48,663
25th percentile
$52,889
Median
$56,576
75th percentile
$65,000
90th percentile
$88,548

The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Lexington, KY shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $48,663, while the 90th percentile earns $88,548. This $39,885 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 Lexington, KY are 57% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Research Scientists in Lexington, KY?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Lexington, KY are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Lexington, KY. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY leads with 42 filings at a median salary of $53,270. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $53,270 to $122,830.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Lexington, KY?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Lexington, KY, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 68 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Lexington, KY 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.