Research Specialist H-1B Salary in Boston, MA
Employers have filed 51 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Specialist positions in Boston, MA, with a median salary of $70,000. That's 8% higher than the national Research Specialist H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations, and 36% lower than the Boston, MA all-roles H-1B median of $110,000. Research Specialist ranks #93 among H-1B job titles filed from Boston, MA.
Headline numbers for Research Specialist H-1B roles in Boston, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,946 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Research Specialist hiring.
Research Specialist H-1B Salary Range in Boston, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $33,936 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $61,402 and $81,598, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Specialists land. The median of $70,000 sits 8% higher than the national Research Specialist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $54,974
- 25th percentile
- $61,402
- Median
- $70,000
- 75th percentile
- $81,598
- 90th percentile
- $88,910
Top Employers Hiring Research Specialists in Boston, MA
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Specialist in Boston, MA, with 27 certified filings (53% of local Research Specialist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $69,616. Among the top sponsors, HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $86,000. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 62% ($53,000 at TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY to $86,000 at HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | 27 | $69,616 |
| HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE | 15 | $86,000 |
| GENERAL HOSPITAL | 6 | $60,000 |
| MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY | 2 | $70,450 |
| TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY | 1 | $53,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Research Specialist 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 Boston, MA, which tells you whether Research Specialist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Research Specialist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Research Specialist is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (60) outside Boston, MA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 60 | $76,814 |
| Chicago, IL | 59 | $59,663 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Boston, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Boston, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Fellow is the busiest non-Research Specialist role here (1,863 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $146,100.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Fellow | 1,863 | $65,000 |
| Software Engineer | 1,394 | $110,240 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,378 | $135,658 |
| Software Engineer II | 943 | $146,100 |
| Software Developer | 908 | $105,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 726 | $121,296 |
| Consultant | 701 | $115,000 |
| Research Scientist | 688 | $86,700 |
| Accountant | 587 | $91,441 |
| Architect | 556 | $91,874 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Specialist in Boston, MA is $70,000, based on 51 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 8% higher than the national Research Specialist H-1B median of $65,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 36% lower than the overall H-1B median of $110,000 in Boston, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $33,936 range from the 10th percentile ($54,974) to the 90th percentile ($88,910). The middle 50% of workers earn between $61,402 and $81,598, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boston, MA, with 27 certified filings at a median salary of $69,616. Among the top employers, HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $86,000. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Research Specialist H-1B roles in Boston, MA, answered directly from 51 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 Specialist salary in Boston, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Specialist positions in Boston, MA is $70,000, based on 51 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $54,974
- 25th percentile
- $61,402
- Median
- $70,000
- 75th percentile
- $81,598
- 90th percentile
- $88,910
The salary distribution for Research Specialist roles in Boston, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $54,974, while the 90th percentile earns $88,910. This $33,936 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Research Specialist salaries in Boston, MA are 46% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Specialists in Boston, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Specialist positions in Boston, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Specialist roles specifically in Boston, MA. BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL leads with 27 filings at a median salary of $69,616. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $53,000 to $86,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Specialist in Boston, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Specialist in Boston, 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, 51 H-1B positions for Research Specialists in Boston, 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.