Senior Research Associate H-1B Salary in Durham, NC
Employers have filed 244 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Research Associate positions in Durham, NC, with a median salary of $64,296. That's 20% lower than the national Senior Research Associate H-1B median of $80,435 across all U.S. locations, and 41% lower than the Durham, NC all-roles H-1B median of $108,659. Senior Research Associate ranks #11 among H-1B job titles filed from Durham, NC.
Headline numbers for Senior Research Associate H-1B roles in Durham, NC, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,348 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Senior Research Associate hiring.
Senior Research Associate H-1B Salary Range in Durham, NC
The pay distribution for this role spans $24,651 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $59,580 and $75,254, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Research Associates land. The median of $64,296 sits 20% lower than the national Senior Research Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $55,349
- 25th percentile
- $59,580
- Median
- $64,296
- 75th percentile
- $75,254
- 90th percentile
- $80,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Research Associates in Durham, NC
DUKE UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Research Associate in Durham, NC, with 219 certified filings (90% of local Senior Research Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $64,035. Among the top sponsors, KBI BIOPHARMA pays the highest median at $84,800. The pay spread across top employers is 54%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 54% ($55,000 at DUKE UNIVERSITY AND MEDICAL CENTER to $84,800 at KBI BIOPHARMA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | 219 | $64,035 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY AND MEDICAL CENTER | 5 | $55,000 |
| KBI BIOPHARMA | 5 | $84,800 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY AND HEALTH SYSTEM | 4 | $80,000 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY, DUKE VISA SERVICES | 2 | $56,880 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior Research Associate 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 Durham, NC, which tells you whether Senior Research Associate pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Research Associate H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Research Associate is an active H-1B role. Cambridge, MA has the most filings (319) outside Durham, NC. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $131,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 319 | $86,250 |
| New York, NY | 183 | $131,000 |
| Boston, MA | 112 | $84,906 |
| Dallas, TX | 108 | $61,800 |
| South San Francisco, CA | 90 | $103,771 |
| Foster City, CA | 69 | $98,654 |
| Portland, OR | 61 | $75,000 |
| Cleveland, OH | 60 | $71,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Durham, NC
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Durham, NC, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Senior Research Associate role here (2,087 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Full Stack Developer at a median of $132,413.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 2,087 | $108,410 |
| Software Engineer | 1,694 | $117,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,505 | $101,421 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 1,142 | $121,222 |
| Associate Research Associate | 363 | $58,000 |
| Principal Full Stack Developer | 325 | $132,413 |
| Senior Full Stack Developer | 311 | $116,709 |
| Consultant | 290 | $100,589 |
| Architect | 270 | $122,803 |
| Senior Software Developer | 246 | $108,410 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Associate in Durham, NC is $64,296, based on 244 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 20% lower than the national Senior Research Associate H-1B median of $80,435 across all U.S. locations. It is also 41% lower than the overall H-1B median of $108,659 in Durham, NC across all job titles.
Salaries span a $24,651 range from the 10th percentile ($55,349) to the 90th percentile ($80,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $59,580 and $75,254, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
DUKE UNIVERSITY is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Durham, NC, with 219 certified filings at a median salary of $64,035. Among the top employers, KBI BIOPHARMA pays the highest median at $84,800. The pay spread across top employers is 54%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Research Associate H-1B roles in Durham, NC, answered directly from 244 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 Senior Research Associate salary in Durham, NC?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Associate positions in Durham, NC is $64,296, based on 244 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $55,349
- 25th percentile
- $59,580
- Median
- $64,296
- 75th percentile
- $75,254
- 90th percentile
- $80,000
The salary distribution for Senior Research Associate roles in Durham, NC shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $55,349, while the 90th percentile earns $80,000. This $24,651 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Senior Research Associate salaries in Durham, NC are 49% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Research Associates in Durham, NC?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Research Associate positions in Durham, NC are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Research Associate roles specifically in Durham, NC. DUKE UNIVERSITY leads with 219 filings at a median salary of $64,035. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $55,000 to $84,800.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Associate in Durham, NC?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Associate in Durham, NC, 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, 244 H-1B positions for Senior Research Associates in Durham, NC 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.