Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Sacramento, CA
Employers have filed 64 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Sacramento, CA, with a median salary of $72,800. That's 23% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 30% lower than the Sacramento, CA all-roles H-1B median of $104,000. Research Scientist ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from Sacramento, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Sacramento, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,318 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 Sacramento, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $31,200 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $63,100 and $82,909, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $72,800 sits 23% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $56,576
- 25th percentile
- $63,100
- Median
- $72,800
- 75th percentile
- $82,909
- 90th percentile
- $87,776
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Sacramento, CA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Sacramento, CA, with 19 certified filings (30% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $76,700. Among the top sponsors, THE JACKSON LABORATORY pays the highest median at $82,909. The pay spread across top employers is 47%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 47% ($56,576 at MANAGEMENT HEALTH SYSTEMS to $82,909 at THE JACKSON LABORATORY)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS | 19 | $76,700 |
| MANAGEMENT HEALTH SYSTEMS | 13 | $56,576 |
| QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INCORPORATED | 12 | $79,373 |
| THE JACKSON LABORATORY | 10 | $82,909 |
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | 2 | $77,688 |
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 Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sacramento, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (594 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager at a median of $137,800.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 594 | $100,500 |
| Software Engineer | 163 | $108,514 |
| Assistant Professor | 123 | $95,796 |
| Consultant | 100 | $101,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 91 | $122,346 |
| Architect | 87 | $115,000 |
| Project Manager | 82 | $110,000 |
| Senior Consultant | 78 | $109,600 |
| Manager | 77 | $137,800 |
| Senior Software Developer | 67 | $120,640 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Sacramento, CA is $72,800, based on 64 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 23% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 30% lower than the overall H-1B median of $104,000 in Sacramento, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $31,200 range from the 10th percentile ($56,576) to the 90th percentile ($87,776). The middle 50% of workers earn between $63,100 and $82,909, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sacramento, CA, with 19 certified filings at a median salary of $76,700. Among the top employers, THE JACKSON LABORATORY pays the highest median at $82,909. The pay spread across top employers is 47%, 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 Sacramento, CA, answered directly from 64 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 Sacramento, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Sacramento, CA is $72,800, based on 64 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $56,576
- 25th percentile
- $63,100
- Median
- $72,800
- 75th percentile
- $82,909
- 90th percentile
- $87,776
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Sacramento, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $56,576, while the 90th percentile earns $87,776. This $31,200 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 Sacramento, CA are 44% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Sacramento, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Sacramento, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Sacramento, CA. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS leads with 19 filings at a median salary of $76,700. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $56,576 to $82,909.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Sacramento, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Sacramento, 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, 64 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Sacramento, 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.