Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Palo Alto, CA
Employers have filed 359 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Palo Alto, CA, with a median salary of $140,000. That's 48% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 14% lower than the Palo Alto, CA all-roles H-1B median of $163,000. Research Scientist ranks #7 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 #726 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Palo Alto, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $152,915 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $98,000 and $180,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $140,000 sits 48% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $77,085
- 25th percentile
- $98,000
- Median
- $140,000
- 75th percentile
- $180,000
- 90th percentile
- $230,000
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 71 certified filings (20% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $80,000. Among the top sponsors, SALESFORCE pays the highest median at $201,094. The pay spread across top employers is 151%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 151% ($80,000 at THE LELAND STANFORD, JR UNIVERSITY to $201,094 at SALESFORCE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| THE LELAND STANFORD, JR UNIVERSITY | 71 | $80,000 |
| SALESFORCE | 41 | $201,094 |
| FORD MOTOR | 22 | $122,408 |
| HP | 17 | $138,371 |
| INNOPEAK TECHNOLOGY | 14 | $191,922 |
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 (1,699) outside Palo Alto, 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 | 1,699 | $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 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 (2,120 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 | 2,120 | $155,746 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,225 | $182,610 |
| Member Of Technical Staff | 948 | $141,334 |
| Software Engineer II | 655 | $172,931 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 389 | $210,000 |
| Senior Member Of Technical Staff | 371 | $180,000 |
| Staff Engineer | 280 | $207,392 |
| Data Scientist | 267 | $143,291 |
| Developer | 252 | $127,092 |
| Research Scientist II | 235 | $183,500 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Palo Alto, CA is $140,000, based on 359 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 $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 14% lower than the overall H-1B median of $163,000 in Palo Alto, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $152,915 range from the 10th percentile ($77,085) to the 90th percentile ($230,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,000 and $180,000, 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 71 certified filings at a median salary of $80,000. Among the top employers, SALESFORCE pays the highest median at $201,094. The pay spread across top employers is 151%, 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 359 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 $140,000, based on 359 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $77,085
- 25th percentile
- $98,000
- Median
- $140,000
- 75th percentile
- $180,000
- 90th percentile
- $230,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Palo Alto, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $77,085, while the 90th percentile earns $230,000. This $152,915 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 Palo Alto, CA are 7% 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 71 filings at a median salary of $80,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $80,000 to $201,094.
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, 359 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.