Research Scientist H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 300 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $104,520. That's 10% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 13% lower than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,000. Research Scientist ranks #12 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #939 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 San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $75,146 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $88,462 and $125,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $104,520 sits 10% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $77,854
- 25th percentile
- $88,462
- Median
- $104,520
- 75th percentile
- $125,000
- 90th percentile
- $153,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in San Diego, CA
TUSIMPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in San Diego, CA, with 20 certified filings (7% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $102,835. Among the top sponsors, BYTEDANCE pays the highest median at $186,000. The pay spread across top employers is 106%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 106% ($90,480 at NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES to $186,000 at BYTEDANCE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| TUSIMPLE | 20 | $102,835 |
| NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES | 17 | $90,480 |
| ILLUMINA | 16 | $96,013 |
| BYTEDANCE | 13 | $186,000 |
| INTEL | 11 | $128,170 |
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 San Diego, 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 San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (2,661 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,661 | $122,720 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,640 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,404 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 753 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 606 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 524 | $111,322 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 448 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 352 | $128,502 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 348 | $108,930 |
| Systems Engineer | 315 | $108,766 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in San Diego, CA is $104,520, based on 300 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 10% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 13% lower than the overall H-1B median of $120,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $75,146 range from the 10th percentile ($77,854) to the 90th percentile ($153,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $88,462 and $125,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
TUSIMPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 20 certified filings at a median salary of $102,835. Among the top employers, BYTEDANCE pays the highest median at $186,000. The pay spread across top employers is 106%, 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 San Diego, CA, answered directly from 300 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 San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in San Diego, CA is $104,520, based on 300 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $77,854
- 25th percentile
- $88,462
- Median
- $104,520
- 75th percentile
- $125,000
- 90th percentile
- $153,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $77,854, while the 90th percentile earns $153,000. This $75,146 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 San Diego, CA are 20% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in San Diego, CA. TUSIMPLE leads with 20 filings at a median salary of $102,835. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $90,480 to $186,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in San Diego, 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, 300 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in San Diego, 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.