Research Scientist H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 706 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $164,000. That's 67% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations, and 4% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $156,959. Research Scientist ranks #16 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #326 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $132,786 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $132,000 and $195,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $164,000 sits 67% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $105,000
- 25th percentile
- $132,000
- Median
- $164,000
- 75th percentile
- $195,000
- 90th percentile
- $237,786
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in San Francisco, CA
UBER TECHNOLOGIES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in San Francisco, CA, with 81 certified filings (11% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $158,800. Among the top sponsors, RESOLVE AI pays the highest median at $240,000. The pay spread across top employers is 76%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 76% ($136,510 at UCSF MEDICAL CENTER to $240,000 at RESOLVE AI)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UBER TECHNOLOGIES | 81 | $158,800 |
| 57 | $187,000 | |
| UCSF MEDICAL CENTER | 35 | $136,510 |
| META | 32 | $185,000 |
| RESOLVE AI | 32 | $240,000 |
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 San Francisco, 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 (2,020) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Mountain View, CA at $187,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 2,020 | $119,340 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,579 | $186,200 |
| Cambridge, MA | 1,396 | $109,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 1,053 | $150,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 948 | $187,000 |
| Bellevue, WA | 930 | $166,574 |
| Boston, MA | 755 | $89,100 |
| Seattle, WA | 723 | $160,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 629 | $80,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 604 | $75,300 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (13,951 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $212,472.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,951 | $167,710 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 5,106 | $180,960 |
| Data Scientist | 1,623 | $151,882 |
| Product Manager | 1,588 | $165,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,125 | $165,000 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,118 | $212,472 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,099 | $210,000 |
| Accountant | 1,052 | $108,500 |
| Consultant | 1,010 | $120,994 |
| Associate | 908 | $140,900 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in San Francisco, CA is $164,000, based on 706 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 67% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations. It is also 4% higher than the overall H-1B median of $156,959 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $132,786 range from the 10th percentile ($105,000) to the 90th percentile ($237,786). The middle 50% of workers earn between $132,000 and $195,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UBER TECHNOLOGIES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 81 certified filings at a median salary of $158,800. Among the top employers, RESOLVE AI pays the highest median at $240,000. The pay spread across top employers is 76%, 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 Francisco, CA, answered directly from 706 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 Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA is $164,000, based on 706 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $105,000
- 25th percentile
- $132,000
- Median
- $164,000
- 75th percentile
- $195,000
- 90th percentile
- $237,786
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $105,000, while the 90th percentile earns $237,786. This $132,786 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Research Scientist salaries in San Francisco, CA are 30% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. UBER TECHNOLOGIES leads with 81 filings at a median salary of $158,800. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $136,510 to $240,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in San Francisco, 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, 706 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in San Francisco, 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.