Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 723 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $160,000. That's 63% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations, and 11% higher than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $143,700. Research Scientist ranks #17 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #312 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 Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $120,745 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $134,767 and $184,240, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $160,000 sits 63% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $86,757
- 25th percentile
- $134,767
- Median
- $160,000
- 75th percentile
- $184,240
- 90th percentile
- $207,502
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Seattle, WA
META is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Seattle, WA, with 182 certified filings (25% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $172,789. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 23% ($140,000 at ZILLOW to $172,789 at META)
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 Seattle, WA, 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 Seattle, WA. 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 |
| San Francisco, CA | 706 | $164,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 629 | $80,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 604 | $75,300 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (10,788 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $185,037.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 10,788 | $160,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 8,347 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,322 | $125,000 |
| Software Dev Engineer II | 2,391 | $170,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,326 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,249 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,204 | $180,000 |
| Software Dev Engineer I | 1,893 | $129,000 |
| Program Manager III | 1,621 | $148,600 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,428 | $185,037 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Seattle, WA is $160,000, based on 723 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 63% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% higher than the overall H-1B median of $143,700 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $120,745 range from the 10th percentile ($86,757) to the 90th percentile ($207,502). The middle 50% of workers earn between $134,767 and $184,240, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
META is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 182 certified filings at a median salary of $172,789. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 723 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Seattle, WA is $160,000, based on 723 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $86,757
- 25th percentile
- $134,767
- Median
- $160,000
- 75th percentile
- $184,240
- 90th percentile
- $207,502
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $86,757, while the 90th percentile earns $207,502. This $120,745 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 Seattle, WA are 27% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Seattle, WA. META leads with 182 filings at a median salary of $172,789. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $140,000 to $172,789.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Seattle, WA, 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, 723 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Seattle, WA 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.