Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Santa Monica, CA
Employers have filed 54 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Santa Monica, CA, with a median salary of $124,240. That's 31% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 4% lower than the Santa Monica, CA all-roles H-1B median of $129,667. Research Scientist ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Monica, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Santa Monica, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,330 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 Santa Monica, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $95,918 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $101,920 and $150,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $124,240 sits 31% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $79,082
- 25th percentile
- $101,920
- Median
- $124,240
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $175,000
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Santa Monica, CA
KITE PHARMA is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Santa Monica, CA, with 14 certified filings (26% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $120,349. Among the top sponsors, FLAWLESS AI pays the highest median at $160,000. The pay spread across top employers is 93%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 93% ($83,000 at PROVIVI to $160,000 at FLAWLESS AI)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| KITE PHARMA | 14 | $120,349 |
| SNAP | 12 | $130,811 |
| FLAWLESS AI | 6 | $160,000 |
| PROVIVI | 5 | $83,000 |
| MOTIONAL AD | 4 | $132,787 |
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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Monica, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (450 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $160,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 450 | $125,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 151 | $147,500 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 145 | $160,000 |
| Software Developer | 131 | $139,818 |
| Software Engineer I | 79 | $125,000 |
| Data Scientist | 70 | $112,091 |
| Product Manager | 57 | $132,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Santa Monica, CA is $124,240, based on 54 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 31% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 4% lower than the overall H-1B median of $129,667 in Santa Monica, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $95,918 range from the 10th percentile ($79,082) to the 90th percentile ($175,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $101,920 and $150,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
KITE PHARMA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Monica, CA, with 14 certified filings at a median salary of $120,349. Among the top employers, FLAWLESS AI pays the highest median at $160,000. The pay spread across top employers is 93%, 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 Santa Monica, CA, answered directly from 54 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 Santa Monica, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Santa Monica, CA is $124,240, based on 54 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $79,082
- 25th percentile
- $101,920
- Median
- $124,240
- 75th percentile
- $150,000
- 90th percentile
- $175,000
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Santa Monica, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $79,082, while the 90th percentile earns $175,000. This $95,918 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 Santa Monica, CA are 5% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Santa Monica, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Santa Monica, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Santa Monica, CA. KITE PHARMA leads with 14 filings at a median salary of $120,349. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $83,000 to $160,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Santa Monica, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Santa Monica, 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, 54 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Santa Monica, 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.