Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 239 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Research Scientist positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $122,000. That's 4% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $117,478 across all U.S. locations, and 1% higher than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $121,000. Senior Research Scientist ranks #17 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Research Scientist H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,381 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Senior Research Scientist hiring.
Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $59,298 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $102,502 and $140,670, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Research Scientists land. The median of $122,000 sits 4% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $94,702
- 25th percentile
- $102,502
- Median
- $122,000
- 75th percentile
- $140,670
- 90th percentile
- $154,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Research Scientists in San Diego, CA
ILLUMINA is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Research Scientist in San Diego, CA, with 28 certified filings (12% of local Senior Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $100,859. Among the top sponsors, FAIR ISAAC pays the highest median at $140,670. The pay spread across top employers is 42%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 42% ($99,008 at NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH to $140,670 at FAIR ISAAC)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ILLUMINA | 28 | $100,859 |
| TUSIMPLE | 17 | $114,920 |
| NOVARTIS INSTITUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH | 16 | $99,008 |
| NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES | 15 | $121,722 |
| FAIR ISAAC | 9 | $140,670 |
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 San Diego, CA, 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 (692) outside San Diego, CA. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 692 | $125,000 |
| New York, NY | 578 | $90,000 |
| Boston, MA | 286 | $120,800 |
| 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 San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Research Scientist role here (2,861 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,861 | $126,880 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,707 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,460 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 786 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 630 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 588 | $111,342 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 464 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 388 | $130,187 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 351 | $108,930 |
| Research Scientist | 342 | $110,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist in San Diego, CA is $122,000, based on 239 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $117,478 across all U.S. locations. It is also 1% higher than the overall H-1B median of $121,000 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $59,298 range from the 10th percentile ($94,702) to the 90th percentile ($154,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $102,502 and $140,670, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ILLUMINA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 28 certified filings at a median salary of $100,859. Among the top employers, FAIR ISAAC pays the highest median at $140,670. The pay spread across top employers is 42%, 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 San Diego, CA, answered directly from 239 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 San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist positions in San Diego, CA is $122,000, based on 239 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $94,702
- 25th percentile
- $102,502
- Median
- $122,000
- 75th percentile
- $140,670
- 90th percentile
- $154,000
The salary distribution for Senior Research Scientist roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $94,702, while the 90th percentile earns $154,000. This $59,298 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 San Diego, CA are 3% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Research Scientists in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Research Scientist positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Research Scientist roles specifically in San Diego, CA. ILLUMINA leads with 28 filings at a median salary of $100,859. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $99,008 to $140,670.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in San Diego, CA, 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, 239 H-1B positions for Senior Research Scientists in San Diego, CA 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.