Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Urbana, IL
Employers have filed 118 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Urbana, IL, with a median salary of $71,344. That's 27% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations, and 5% lower than the Urbana, IL all-roles H-1B median of $75,000. Research Scientist ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Urbana, IL.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Urbana, IL, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,979 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Urbana, IL
The pay distribution for this role spans $51,291 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $62,850 and $85,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $71,344 sits 27% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $53,000
- 25th percentile
- $62,850
- Median
- $71,344
- 75th percentile
- $85,000
- 90th percentile
- $104,291
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Urbana, IL
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Urbana, IL, with 94 certified filings (80% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $71,136. Among the top sponsors, NVIDIA pays the highest median at $197,933. The pay spread across top employers is 193%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 193% ($67,500 at CREATIVE THERMAL SOLUTIONS to $197,933 at NVIDIA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | 94 | $71,136 |
| CREATIVE THERMAL SOLUTIONS | 6 | $67,500 |
| THE CARLE FOUNDATION | 4 | $70,408 |
| NVIDIA | 3 | $197,933 |
| ZOETIS | 2 | $69,342 |
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 Urbana, IL, 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 Urbana, IL. 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 |
| San Francisco, CA | 706 | $164,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 629 | $80,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Urbana, IL
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Urbana, IL, ranked by certified filing volume. Assistant Professor is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (247 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Physician at a median of $345,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | 247 | $97,000 |
| Associate Research Associate | 212 | $56,514 |
| Physician | 52 | $345,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Urbana, IL is $71,344, based on 118 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 27% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $97,950 across all U.S. locations. It is also 5% lower than the overall H-1B median of $75,000 in Urbana, IL across all job titles.
Salaries span a $51,291 range from the 10th percentile ($53,000) to the 90th percentile ($104,291). The middle 50% of workers earn between $62,850 and $85,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Urbana, IL, with 94 certified filings at a median salary of $71,136. Among the top employers, NVIDIA pays the highest median at $197,933. The pay spread across top employers is 193%, 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 Urbana, IL, answered directly from 118 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 Urbana, IL?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Urbana, IL is $71,344, based on 118 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $53,000
- 25th percentile
- $62,850
- Median
- $71,344
- 75th percentile
- $85,000
- 90th percentile
- $104,291
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Urbana, IL shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $53,000, while the 90th percentile earns $104,291. This $51,291 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 Urbana, IL are 44% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Urbana, IL?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Urbana, IL are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Urbana, IL. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS leads with 94 filings at a median salary of $71,136. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $67,500 to $197,933.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Urbana, IL?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Urbana, IL, 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, 118 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Urbana, IL 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.