Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Madison, WI
Employers have filed 156 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Madison, WI, with a median salary of $67,434. That's 29% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 25% lower than the Madison, WI all-roles H-1B median of $90,000. Research Scientist ranks #6 among H-1B job titles filed from Madison, WI.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Madison, WI, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,996 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 Madison, WI
The pay distribution for this role spans $43,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $59,000 and $85,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $67,434 sits 29% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $55,000
- 25th percentile
- $59,000
- Median
- $67,434
- 75th percentile
- $85,000
- 90th percentile
- $98,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Madison, WI
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Madison, WI, with 92 certified filings (59% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $61,880. Among the top sponsors, CONVERGENT SCIENCE pays the highest median at $94,700. The pay spread across top employers is 53%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 53% ($61,880 at UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM to $94,700 at CONVERGENT SCIENCE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM | 92 | $61,880 |
| CONVERGENT SCIENCE | 20 | $94,700 |
| THE MORGRIDGE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH | 9 | $74,000 |
| DANISCO USA | 7 | $69,264 |
| CATALENT PHARMA SOLUTIONS | 5 | $85,280 |
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 Madison, WI, 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 Madison, WI. 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 Madison, WI
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Madison, WI, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (494 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $110,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 494 | $90,000 |
| Software Engineer | 340 | $95,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 326 | $110,000 |
| Research Associate-Postdegree Trainee | 229 | $55,000 |
| Research Scientist I | 170 | $67,000 |
| Business Analyst | 75 | $83,616 |
| Architect | 73 | $108,202 |
| Project Manager | 72 | $104,291 |
| Consultant II | 70 | $68,474 |
| Senior Systems Analyst | 70 | $76,232 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Madison, WI is $67,434, based on 156 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 29% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 25% lower than the overall H-1B median of $90,000 in Madison, WI across all job titles.
Salaries span a $43,000 range from the 10th percentile ($55,000) to the 90th percentile ($98,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $59,000 and $85,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Madison, WI, with 92 certified filings at a median salary of $61,880. Among the top employers, CONVERGENT SCIENCE pays the highest median at $94,700. 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 Madison, WI, answered directly from 156 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 Madison, WI?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Madison, WI is $67,434, based on 156 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $55,000
- 25th percentile
- $59,000
- Median
- $67,434
- 75th percentile
- $85,000
- 90th percentile
- $98,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Madison, WI shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $55,000, while the 90th percentile earns $98,000. This $43,000 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 Madison, WI are 48% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Madison, WI?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Madison, WI are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Madison, WI. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM leads with 92 filings at a median salary of $61,880. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $61,880 to $94,700.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Madison, WI?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Madison, WI, 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, 156 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Madison, WI 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.