Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Mountain View, CA
Employers have filed 869 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Mountain View, CA, with a median salary of $184,662. That's 94% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations, and 11% higher than the Mountain View, CA all-roles H-1B median of $167,000. Research Scientist ranks #6 among H-1B job titles filed from Mountain View, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Mountain View, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #222 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 Mountain View, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $91,300 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $166,000 and $205,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $184,662 sits 94% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $143,700
- 25th percentile
- $166,000
- Median
- $184,662
- 75th percentile
- $205,000
- 90th percentile
- $235,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Mountain View, CA
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Mountain View, CA, with 560 certified filings (64% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $190,000. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 19% ($160,000 at MATIC ROBOTS to $190,000 at GOOGLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 560 | $190,000 | |
| BYTEDANCE | 66 | $190,000 |
| MICROSOFT | 61 | $164,500 |
| JD FINANCE AMERICA | 21 | $178,164 |
| MATIC ROBOTS | 11 | $160,000 |
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 Mountain View, 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 Mountain View, 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 | 1,816 | $105,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 1,312 | $108,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,306 | $182,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 1,030 | $150,000 |
| 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 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 558 | $72,800 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Mountain View, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Mountain View, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (20,602 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $199,534.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 20,602 | $168,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,867 | $167,149 |
| Program Manager | 979 | $169,000 |
| Product Manager | 925 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 892 | $166,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 712 | $199,534 |
| QA Engineer | 599 | $139,180 |
| Hardware Engineer | 422 | $170,000 |
| Software Developer | 328 | $127,000 |
| Member Of Technical Staff (Software Engineer) | 273 | $170,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Mountain View, CA is $184,662, based on 869 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 94% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% higher than the overall H-1B median of $167,000 in Mountain View, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $91,300 range from the 10th percentile ($143,700) to the 90th percentile ($235,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $166,000 and $205,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Mountain View, CA, with 560 certified filings at a median salary of $190,000. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, 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 Mountain View, CA, answered directly from 869 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 Mountain View, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Mountain View, CA is $184,662, based on 869 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $143,700
- 25th percentile
- $166,000
- Median
- $184,662
- 75th percentile
- $205,000
- 90th percentile
- $235,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Mountain View, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $143,700, while the 90th percentile earns $235,000. This $91,300 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 Mountain View, CA are 41% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Mountain View, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Mountain View, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Mountain View, CA. GOOGLE leads with 560 filings at a median salary of $190,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $160,000 to $190,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Mountain View, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Mountain View, 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, 869 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Mountain View, 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.