Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Waltham, MA
Employers have filed 120 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in Waltham, MA, with a median salary of $108,150. That's 14% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations, and 5% lower than the Waltham, MA all-roles H-1B median of $113,256. Research Scientist ranks #5 among H-1B job titles filed from Waltham, MA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in Waltham, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,773 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Waltham, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $50,980 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $96,242 and $120,119, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $108,150 sits 14% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $85,000
- 25th percentile
- $96,242
- Median
- $108,150
- 75th percentile
- $120,119
- 90th percentile
- $135,980
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in Waltham, MA
SANOFI US SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in Waltham, MA, with 17 certified filings (14% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $100,500. Among the top sponsors, A123 SYSTEMS pays the highest median at $125,000. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 24% ($100,500 at SANOFI US SERVICES to $125,000 at A123 SYSTEMS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SANOFI US SERVICES | 17 | $100,500 |
| A123 SYSTEMS | 14 | $125,000 |
| SANOFI PASTEUR | 10 | $108,784 |
| ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS | 7 | $116,891 |
| ELEVATEBIO TECHNOLOGIES | 7 | $111,238 |
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 Waltham, MA, 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 (1,816) outside Waltham, MA. The highest median among these is Mountain View, CA at $184,662. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 1,816 | $105,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 1,312 | $108,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,306 | $182,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 1,030 | $150,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 869 | $184,662 |
| Bellevue, WA | 867 | $162,300 |
| Boston, MA | 688 | $86,700 |
| Seattle, WA | 673 | $160,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 613 | $158,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 607 | $80,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Waltham, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Waltham, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (309 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $160,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 309 | $115,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 238 | $129,189 |
| Software Developer | 141 | $99,674 |
| Consultant | 133 | $98,800 |
| Architect | 113 | $116,355 |
| Senior Research Scientist | 109 | $122,250 |
| Assistant Professor | 85 | $129,540 |
| Software Engineer III | 80 | $134,984 |
| Project Manager | 76 | $100,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 71 | $160,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in Waltham, MA is $108,150, based on 120 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 14% higher than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $95,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 5% lower than the overall H-1B median of $113,256 in Waltham, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $50,980 range from the 10th percentile ($85,000) to the 90th percentile ($135,980). The middle 50% of workers earn between $96,242 and $120,119, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SANOFI US SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Waltham, MA, with 17 certified filings at a median salary of $100,500. Among the top employers, A123 SYSTEMS pays the highest median at $125,000. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, 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 Waltham, MA, answered directly from 120 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 Waltham, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in Waltham, MA is $108,150, based on 120 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $85,000
- 25th percentile
- $96,242
- Median
- $108,150
- 75th percentile
- $120,119
- 90th percentile
- $135,980
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in Waltham, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $85,000, while the 90th percentile earns $135,980. This $50,980 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Research Scientist salaries in Waltham, MA are 17% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in Waltham, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in Waltham, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in Waltham, MA. SANOFI US SERVICES leads with 17 filings at a median salary of $100,500. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $100,500 to $125,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Waltham, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in Waltham, MA, 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, 120 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in Waltham, MA 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.