Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Boston, MA
Employers have filed 250 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Research Scientist positions in Boston, MA, with a median salary of $117,832. That's 2% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $115,000 across all U.S. locations, and 7% higher than the Boston, MA all-roles H-1B median of $110,000. Senior Research Scientist ranks #26 among H-1B job titles filed from Boston, MA.
Headline numbers for Senior Research Scientist H-1B roles in Boston, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,160 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Senior Research Scientist hiring.
Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Boston, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $80,243 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $95,000 and $136,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Research Scientists land. The median of $117,832 sits 2% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $80,267
- 25th percentile
- $95,000
- Median
- $117,832
- 75th percentile
- $136,000
- 90th percentile
- $160,510
Top Employers Hiring Senior Research Scientists in Boston, MA
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Research Scientist in Boston, MA, with 54 certified filings (22% of local Senior Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $124,842. The pay spread across top employers is 64%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 64% ($76,029 at NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY to $124,842 at VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED | 54 | $124,842 |
| MERCK RESEARCH LABORATORIES MASSACHUSETTS | 26 | $105,872 |
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 13 | $76,029 |
| ELI LILLY AND | 12 | $105,380 |
| TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY | 11 | $98,800 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Senior 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 Boston, MA, which tells you whether Senior Research Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Senior Research Scientist is an active H-1B role. Cambridge, MA has the most filings (605) outside Boston, MA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $181,032. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 605 | $122,000 |
| New York, NY | 520 | $87,901 |
| San Diego, CA | 213 | $119,891 |
| South San Francisco, CA | 213 | $138,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 137 | $181,032 |
| Rahway, NJ | 135 | $111,400 |
| Houston, TX | 125 | $96,584 |
| St. Louis, MO | 114 | $73,331 |
| Seattle, WA | 113 | $152,133 |
| Memphis, TN | 111 | $104,000 |
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-Senior Research Scientist role here (1,801 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $145,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Fellow | 1,801 | $64,008 |
| Software Engineer | 1,369 | $110,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,329 | $135,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 895 | $145,000 |
| Software Developer | 883 | $103,000 |
| Assistant Professor | 695 | $120,000 |
| Consultant | 688 | $114,234 |
| Research Scientist | 658 | $88,000 |
| Accountant | 556 | $88,000 |
| Architect | 542 | $91,374 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist in Boston, MA is $117,832, based on 250 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $115,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% higher than the overall H-1B median of $110,000 in Boston, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $80,243 range from the 10th percentile ($80,267) to the 90th percentile ($160,510). The middle 50% of workers earn between $95,000 and $136,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Boston, MA, with 54 certified filings at a median salary of $124,842. The pay spread across top employers is 64%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Senior Research Scientist H-1B roles in Boston, MA, answered directly from 250 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 Scientist salary in Boston, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist positions in Boston, MA is $117,832, based on 250 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $80,267
- 25th percentile
- $95,000
- Median
- $117,832
- 75th percentile
- $136,000
- 90th percentile
- $160,510
The salary distribution for Senior Research Scientist roles in Boston, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $80,267, while the 90th percentile earns $160,510. This $80,243 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Senior Research Scientist salaries in Boston, MA are 10% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Research Scientists in Boston, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Research Scientist positions in Boston, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Research Scientist roles specifically in Boston, MA. VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED leads with 54 filings at a median salary of $124,842. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $76,029 to $124,842.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in Boston, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist 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, 250 H-1B positions for Senior Research Scientists 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.