Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Menlo Park, CA
Employers have filed 1,579 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Menlo Park, CA, with a median salary of $186,200. That's 90% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations, and 1% higher than the Menlo Park, CA all-roles H-1B median of $185,000. Research Scientist ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Menlo Park, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Menlo Park, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #95 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Menlo Park, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $81,194 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $175,000 and $214,032, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $186,200 sits 90% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $154,000
- 25th percentile
- $175,000
- Median
- $186,200
- 75th percentile
- $214,032
- 90th percentile
- $235,194
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Menlo Park, CA
META is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Menlo Park, CA, with 1,176 certified filings (74% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $188,175. The pay spread across top employers is 106%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 106% ($91,500 at STANFORD UNIVERSITY/SLAC NATIONAL ACCELERATOR LABORATORY to $188,175 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| META | 1,176 | $188,175 |
| 284 | $165,093 | |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY/SLAC NATIONAL ACCELERATOR LABORATORY | 20 | $91,500 |
| SRI INTERNATIONAL | 13 | $134,118 |
| LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIV/SLAC NATIONAL ACCELERATOR LAB | 13 | $105,292 |
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 Menlo Park, 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 (2,020) outside Menlo Park, CA. The highest median among these is Mountain View, CA at $187,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 2,020 | $119,340 |
| Cambridge, MA | 1,396 | $109,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 1,053 | $150,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 948 | $187,000 |
| Bellevue, WA | 930 | $166,574 |
| Boston, MA | 755 | $89,100 |
| Seattle, WA | 723 | $160,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 706 | $164,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 629 | $80,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 604 | $75,300 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Menlo Park, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Menlo Park, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (9,125 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $246,440.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,125 | $190,807 |
| Data Scientist | 1,379 | $179,000 |
| Data Engineer | 1,012 | $182,583 |
| Engineering Manager | 715 | $246,440 |
| Product Manager | 540 | $217,000 |
| Production Engineer | 511 | $186,200 |
| Program Manager | 394 | $194,040 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 325 | $196,000 |
| UX Designer | 259 | $174,940 |
| Associate | 196 | $155,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Menlo Park, CA is $186,200, based on 1,579 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 90% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations. It is also 1% higher than the overall H-1B median of $185,000 in Menlo Park, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $81,194 range from the 10th percentile ($154,000) to the 90th percentile ($235,194). The middle 50% of workers earn between $175,000 and $214,032, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
META is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Menlo Park, CA, with 1,176 certified filings at a median salary of $188,175. The pay spread across top employers is 106%, 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 Menlo Park, CA, answered directly from 1,579 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 Menlo Park, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Menlo Park, CA is $186,200, based on 1,579 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $154,000
- 25th percentile
- $175,000
- Median
- $186,200
- 75th percentile
- $214,032
- 90th percentile
- $235,194
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Menlo Park, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $154,000, while the 90th percentile earns $235,194. This $81,194 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Research Scientist salaries in Menlo Park, CA are 47% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Menlo Park, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Menlo Park, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Menlo Park, CA. META leads with 1,176 filings at a median salary of $188,175. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $91,500 to $188,175.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Menlo Park, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Menlo Park, 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, 1,579 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Menlo Park, 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.