Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Employers have filed 359 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Pittsburgh, PA, with a median salary of $97,000. That's 2% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 3% higher than the Pittsburgh, PA all-roles H-1B median of $94,099. Research Scientist ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from Pittsburgh, PA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Pittsburgh, PA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #725 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 Pittsburgh, PA
The pay distribution for this role spans $133,120 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $65,160 and $151,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $97,000 sits 2% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $56,880
- 25th percentile
- $65,160
- Median
- $97,000
- 75th percentile
- $151,000
- 90th percentile
- $190,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Pittsburgh, PA
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Pittsburgh, PA, with 116 certified filings (32% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $60,780. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $160,000. The pay spread across top employers is 163%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 163% ($60,780 at UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH to $160,000 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH | 116 | $60,780 |
| META | 98 | $160,000 |
| CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY | 47 | $82,500 |
| LEIDOS | 9 | $98,010 |
| ROBERT BOSCH | 7 | $150,000 |
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 Pittsburgh, PA, 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 Pittsburgh, PA. 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 Pittsburgh, PA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Pittsburgh, PA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (1,752 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $115,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 1,752 | $89,565 |
| Software Engineer | 1,309 | $110,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 734 | $110,000 |
| Senior Software Developer | 733 | $95,264 |
| Associate Research Associate | 494 | $57,456 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 375 | $115,000 |
| Architect | 363 | $83,866 |
| Consultant | 225 | $92,685 |
| Business Analyst | 218 | $84,448 |
| QA Engineer | 215 | $90,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Pittsburgh, PA is $97,000, based on 359 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 3% higher than the overall H-1B median of $94,099 in Pittsburgh, PA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $133,120 range from the 10th percentile ($56,880) to the 90th percentile ($190,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $65,160 and $151,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Pittsburgh, PA, with 116 certified filings at a median salary of $60,780. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $160,000. The pay spread across top employers is 163%, 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 Pittsburgh, PA, 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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Pittsburgh, PA is $97,000, based on 359 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $56,880
- 25th percentile
- $65,160
- Median
- $97,000
- 75th percentile
- $151,000
- 90th percentile
- $190,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Pittsburgh, PA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $56,880, while the 90th percentile earns $190,000. This $133,120 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 Pittsburgh, PA are 26% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Pittsburgh, PA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Pittsburgh, PA. UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH leads with 116 filings at a median salary of $60,780. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $60,780 to $160,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Pittsburgh, PA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Pittsburgh, PA, 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 Pittsburgh, PA 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.