Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 463 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $145,000. That's 48% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations, and 12% lower than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $165,000. Research Scientist ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from Palo Alto, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Palo Alto, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #599 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 Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $200,960 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $107,702 and $205,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $145,000 sits 48% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $79,040
- 25th percentile
- $107,702
- Median
- $145,000
- 75th percentile
- $205,000
- 90th percentile
- $280,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Palo Alto, CA
THE LELAND STANFORD, JR UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Palo Alto, CA, with 85 certified filings (18% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $81,003. Among the top sponsors, MISTRAL AI pays the highest median at $285,000. The pay spread across top employers is 252%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 252% ($81,003 at THE LELAND STANFORD, JR UNIVERSITY to $285,000 at MISTRAL AI)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| THE LELAND STANFORD, JR UNIVERSITY | 85 | $81,003 |
| MISTRAL AI | 48 | $285,000 |
| SALESFORCE | 34 | $220,000 |
| FORD MOTOR | 23 | $122,408 |
| HP | 17 | $138,371 |
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 Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto, 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 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,579 | $186,200 |
| 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 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Palo Alto, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (2,407 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $210,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,407 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,318 | $184,600 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 1,006 | $142,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 695 | $172,931 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 423 | $210,000 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 288 | $145,000 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 284 | $174,304 |
| Staff Engineer | 282 | $207,500 |
| Research Scientist II | 272 | $184,662 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Palo Alto, CA is $145,000, based on 463 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 48% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations. It is also 12% lower than the overall H-1B median of $165,000 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $200,960 range from the 10th percentile ($79,040) to the 90th percentile ($280,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $107,702 and $205,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
THE LELAND STANFORD, JR UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Palo Alto, CA, with 85 certified filings at a median salary of $81,003. Among the top employers, MISTRAL AI pays the highest median at $285,000. The pay spread across top employers is 252%, 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 Palo Alto, CA, answered directly from 463 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 Palo Alto, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Palo Alto, CA is $145,000, based on 463 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $79,040
- 25th percentile
- $107,702
- Median
- $145,000
- 75th percentile
- $205,000
- 90th percentile
- $280,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $79,040, while the 90th percentile earns $280,000. This $200,960 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 Palo Alto, CA are 15% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Palo Alto, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Palo Alto, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Palo Alto, CA. THE LELAND STANFORD, JR UNIVERSITY leads with 85 filings at a median salary of $81,003. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $81,003 to $285,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Palo Alto, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Palo Alto, 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, 463 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Palo Alto, 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.