Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Pasadena, CA
Employers have filed 102 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Pasadena, CA, with a median salary of $100,000. That's 6% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 2% higher than the Pasadena, CA all-roles H-1B median of $98,000. Research Scientist ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from Pasadena, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Pasadena, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,194 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 Pasadena, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $82,370 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $80,000 and $132,995, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $100,000 sits 6% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $71,654
- 25th percentile
- $80,000
- Median
- $100,000
- 75th percentile
- $132,995
- 90th percentile
- $154,024
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Pasadena, CA
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Pasadena, CA, with 51 certified filings (50% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $82,100. Among the top sponsors, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY/JET PROPULSION LABORATORY pays the highest median at $138,091. The pay spread across top employers is 68%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 68% ($82,100 at CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY to $138,091 at CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY/JET PROPULSION LABORATORY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 51 | $82,100 |
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY/JET PROPULSION LABORATORY | 20 | $138,091 |
| THALES DIS USA | 4 | $135,000 |
| CARBON CAPTURE | 2 | $125,000 |
| NANOCLEAR TECHNOLOGIES | 2 | $135,000 |
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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Pasadena, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Architect is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (190 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Research Scientist II at a median of $132,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Architect | 190 | $77,896 |
| Research Associate | 149 | $66,000 |
| Software Developer | 107 | $102,232 |
| Software Engineer | 104 | $111,780 |
| Associate Research Associate | 83 | $70,264 |
| Research Scientist II | 63 | $132,080 |
| Lead Software Developer | 62 | $126,942 |
| Senior Software Developer | 58 | $118,373 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Pasadena, CA is $100,000, based on 102 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 6% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 2% higher than the overall H-1B median of $98,000 in Pasadena, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $82,370 range from the 10th percentile ($71,654) to the 90th percentile ($154,024). The middle 50% of workers earn between $80,000 and $132,995, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Pasadena, CA, with 51 certified filings at a median salary of $82,100. Among the top employers, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY/JET PROPULSION LABORATORY pays the highest median at $138,091. The pay spread across top employers is 68%, 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 Pasadena, CA, answered directly from 102 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 Pasadena, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Pasadena, CA is $100,000, based on 102 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $71,654
- 25th percentile
- $80,000
- Median
- $100,000
- 75th percentile
- $132,995
- 90th percentile
- $154,024
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Pasadena, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $71,654, while the 90th percentile earns $154,024. This $82,370 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 Pasadena, CA are 23% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Pasadena, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Pasadena, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Pasadena, CA. CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY leads with 51 filings at a median salary of $82,100. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $82,100 to $138,091.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Pasadena, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Pasadena, 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, 102 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Pasadena, 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.