Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Oak Ridge, TN
Employers have filed 119 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Oak Ridge, TN, with a median salary of $127,513. That's 35% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 17% higher than the Oak Ridge, TN all-roles H-1B median of $108,850. Research Scientist ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Oak Ridge, TN.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Oak Ridge, TN, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,711 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 Oak Ridge, TN
The pay distribution for this role spans $44,808 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $117,000 and $141,518, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $127,513 sits 35% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $110,718
- 25th percentile
- $117,000
- Median
- $127,513
- 75th percentile
- $141,518
- 90th percentile
- $155,526
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Oak Ridge, TN
UT-BATTELLE, (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Oak Ridge, TN, with 117 certified filings (98% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $127,536. The pay spread across top employers is 18%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 18% ($108,400 at THEISS RESEARCH to $127,536 at UT-BATTELLE, (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY))
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UT-BATTELLE, (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) | 117 | $127,536 |
| THEISS RESEARCH | 2 | $108,400 |
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 Oak Ridge, TN, 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 Oak Ridge, TN. 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 Oak Ridge, TN
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Oak Ridge, TN, ranked by certified filing volume. Associate Research Associate is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (283 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Research Associate at a median of $81,543.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Research Associate | 283 | $78,288 |
| Research Associate | 184 | $81,543 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Oak Ridge, TN is $127,513, based on 119 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 35% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 17% higher than the overall H-1B median of $108,850 in Oak Ridge, TN across all job titles.
Salaries span a $44,808 range from the 10th percentile ($110,718) to the 90th percentile ($155,526). The middle 50% of workers earn between $117,000 and $141,518, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UT-BATTELLE, (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Oak Ridge, TN, with 117 certified filings at a median salary of $127,536. The pay spread across top employers is 18%, 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 Oak Ridge, TN, answered directly from 119 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 Oak Ridge, TN?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Oak Ridge, TN is $127,513, based on 119 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $110,718
- 25th percentile
- $117,000
- Median
- $127,513
- 75th percentile
- $141,518
- 90th percentile
- $155,526
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Oak Ridge, TN shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $110,718, while the 90th percentile earns $155,526. This $44,808 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 Oak Ridge, TN are 2% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Oak Ridge, TN?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Oak Ridge, TN are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Oak Ridge, TN. UT-BATTELLE, (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) leads with 117 filings at a median salary of $127,536. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $108,400 to $127,536.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Oak Ridge, TN?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Oak Ridge, TN, 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, 119 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Oak Ridge, TN 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.