Research Scientist H-1B Salary in South San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 380 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in South San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $125,278. That's 32% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 6% lower than the South San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $132,870. Research Scientist ranks #1 among H-1B job titles filed from South San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in South San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #669 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in South San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $46,940 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $110,000 and $135,385, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $125,278 sits 32% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $98,200
- 25th percentile
- $110,000
- Median
- $125,278
- 75th percentile
- $135,385
- 90th percentile
- $145,140
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in South San Francisco, CA
GENENTECH is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in South San Francisco, CA, with 124 certified filings (33% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $121,700. Among the top sponsors, AMGEN pays the highest median at $137,014. The pay spread across top employers is 13%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 13% ($121,700 at GENENTECH to $137,014 at AMGEN)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| GENENTECH | 124 | $121,700 |
| AMGEN | 40 | $137,014 |
| AMGEN INCORPORATED | 21 | $130,000 |
| SANA BIOTECHNOLOGY | 17 | $130,000 |
| DENALI THERAPEUTICS | 16 | $123,518 |
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 South 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 (1,699) outside South San Francisco, 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 South San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from South San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (268 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $167,710.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 268 | $155,000 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 213 | $138,000 |
| Consultant | 144 | $158,080 |
| Senior Research Associate | 84 | $104,000 |
| Architect | 81 | $121,764 |
| Data Scientist | 81 | $144,824 |
| Research Scientist II | 70 | $120,000 |
| Associate Consultant | 61 | $135,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 57 | $167,710 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in South San Francisco, CA is $125,278, based on 380 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 32% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% lower than the overall H-1B median of $132,870 in South San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $46,940 range from the 10th percentile ($98,200) to the 90th percentile ($145,140). The middle 50% of workers earn between $110,000 and $135,385, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
GENENTECH is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in South San Francisco, CA, with 124 certified filings at a median salary of $121,700. Among the top employers, AMGEN pays the highest median at $137,014. The pay spread across top employers is 13%, 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 South San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 380 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 South San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in South San Francisco, CA is $125,278, based on 380 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $98,200
- 25th percentile
- $110,000
- Median
- $125,278
- 75th percentile
- $135,385
- 90th percentile
- $145,140
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in South San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $98,200, while the 90th percentile earns $145,140. This $46,940 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 South San Francisco, CA are 4% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in South San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in South San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in South San Francisco, CA. GENENTECH leads with 124 filings at a median salary of $121,700. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $121,700 to $137,014.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in South San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in South 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, 380 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in South 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.