Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Employers have filed 558 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Los Angeles, CA, with a median salary of $72,800. That's 23% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations, and 28% lower than the Los Angeles, CA all-roles H-1B median of $100,776. Research Scientist ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Los Angeles, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Los Angeles, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #418 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Los Angeles, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $74,451 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $64,251 and $90,300, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $72,800 sits 23% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $60,549
- 25th percentile
- $64,251
- Median
- $72,800
- 75th percentile
- $90,300
- 90th percentile
- $135,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Los Angeles, CA
CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Los Angeles, CA, with 225 certified filings (40% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $66,560. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $173,301. The pay spread across top employers is 160%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 160% ($66,560 at CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER to $173,301 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | 225 | $66,560 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES | 182 | $75,300 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | 25 | $79,040 |
| 11 | $170,000 | |
| META | 11 | $173,301 |
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 Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Los Angeles, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Accountant is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (1,121 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $145,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | 1,121 | $90,000 |
| Software Engineer | 970 | $141,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 551 | $104,000 |
| Software Developer | 536 | $104,000 |
| Research Associate | 511 | $64,750 |
| Consultant | 395 | $92,000 |
| Architect | 388 | $75,000 |
| Associate | 308 | $115,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 302 | $145,000 |
| Project Manager | 258 | $101,740 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Los Angeles, CA is $72,800, based on 558 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 23% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 28% lower than the overall H-1B median of $100,776 in Los Angeles, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $74,451 range from the 10th percentile ($60,549) to the 90th percentile ($135,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $64,251 and $90,300, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Los Angeles, CA, with 225 certified filings at a median salary of $66,560. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $173,301. The pay spread across top employers is 160%, 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 Los Angeles, CA, answered directly from 558 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 Los Angeles, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Los Angeles, CA is $72,800, based on 558 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $60,549
- 25th percentile
- $64,251
- Median
- $72,800
- 75th percentile
- $90,300
- 90th percentile
- $135,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Los Angeles, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $60,549, while the 90th percentile earns $135,000. This $74,451 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 Los Angeles, CA are 44% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Los Angeles, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Los Angeles, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Los Angeles, CA. CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER leads with 225 filings at a median salary of $66,560. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $66,560 to $173,301.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Los Angeles, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Los Angeles, 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, 558 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Los Angeles, 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.