Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Cambridge, MA
Employers have filed 692 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Research Scientist positions in Cambridge, MA, with a median salary of $125,000. That's 6% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $117,478 across all U.S. locations, and 8% higher than the Cambridge, MA all-roles H-1B median of $116,000. Senior Research Scientist ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from Cambridge, MA.
Headline numbers for Senior Research Scientist H-1B roles in Cambridge, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #345 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Senior Research Scientist hiring.
Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Cambridge, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $74,158 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $100,000 and $140,780, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Research Scientists land. The median of $125,000 sits 6% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $85,842
- 25th percentile
- $100,000
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $140,780
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Research Scientists in Cambridge, MA
NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Research Scientist in Cambridge, MA, with 140 certified filings (20% of local Senior Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $91,978. Among the top sponsors, TAKEDA DEVELOPMENT CENTER AMERICAS pays the highest median at $160,200. The pay spread across top employers is 74%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 74% ($91,978 at NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH to $160,200 at TAKEDA DEVELOPMENT CENTER AMERICAS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH | 140 | $91,978 |
| TAKEDA DEVELOPMENT CENTER AMERICAS | 29 | $160,200 |
| SANOFI US SERVICES | 24 | $106,870 |
| INTELLIA THERAPEUTICS | 22 | $129,000 |
| BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB | 20 | $150,307 |
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 Cambridge, 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. New York, NY has the most filings (578) outside Cambridge, MA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $186,307. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 578 | $90,000 |
| Boston, MA | 286 | $120,800 |
| San Diego, CA | 239 | $122,000 |
| South San Francisco, CA | 238 | $140,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 167 | $186,307 |
| Rahway, NJ | 165 | $112,112 |
| Houston, TX | 149 | $102,003 |
| Waltham, MA | 131 | $124,341 |
| Memphis, TN | 129 | $104,000 |
| Tarrytown, NY | 129 | $138,442 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Cambridge, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Cambridge, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Research Scientist role here (1,441 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $150,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 1,441 | $144,000 |
| Research Scientist | 1,396 | $109,000 |
| Associate Research Associate | 544 | $66,950 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 515 | $150,000 |
| Research Scientist II | 468 | $117,420 |
| Research Associate | 334 | $68,000 |
| Senior Research Associate | 319 | $86,250 |
| Software Engineer II | 277 | $134,900 |
| Principal Research Associate | 272 | $70,000 |
| Research Scientist I | 237 | $97,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist in Cambridge, MA is $125,000, based on 692 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 6% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $117,478 across all U.S. locations. It is also 8% higher than the overall H-1B median of $116,000 in Cambridge, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $74,158 range from the 10th percentile ($85,842) to the 90th percentile ($160,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $100,000 and $140,780, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Cambridge, MA, with 140 certified filings at a median salary of $91,978. Among the top employers, TAKEDA DEVELOPMENT CENTER AMERICAS pays the highest median at $160,200. The pay spread across top employers is 74%, 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 Cambridge, MA, answered directly from 692 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 Cambridge, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist positions in Cambridge, MA is $125,000, based on 692 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $85,842
- 25th percentile
- $100,000
- Median
- $125,000
- 75th percentile
- $140,780
- 90th percentile
- $160,000
The salary distribution for Senior Research Scientist roles in Cambridge, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $85,842, while the 90th percentile earns $160,000. This $74,158 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 Scientist salaries in Cambridge, MA are 1% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Research Scientists in Cambridge, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Research Scientist positions in Cambridge, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Research Scientist roles specifically in Cambridge, MA. NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH leads with 140 filings at a median salary of $91,978. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $91,978 to $160,200.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in Cambridge, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in Cambridge, 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, 692 H-1B positions for Senior Research Scientists in Cambridge, 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.