Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 167 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Research Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $186,307. That's 59% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $117,478 across all U.S. locations, and 19% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $156,959. Senior Research Scientist ranks #56 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Research Scientist H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,032 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Research Scientist hiring.
Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $92,059 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $163,000 and $205,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Research Scientists land. The median of $186,307 sits 59% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $140,941
- 25th percentile
- $163,000
- Median
- $186,307
- 75th percentile
- $205,000
- 90th percentile
- $233,000
Top Employers Hiring Senior Research Scientists in San Francisco, CA
UBER TECHNOLOGIES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Research Scientist in San Francisco, CA, with 48 certified filings (29% of local Senior Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $186,800. Among the top sponsors, GOOGLE pays the highest median at $233,000. The pay spread across top employers is 63%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 63% ($142,732 at NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS to $233,000 at GOOGLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UBER TECHNOLOGIES | 48 | $186,800 |
| CRUISE | 16 | $225,000 |
| ZILLOW | 5 | $203,670 |
| NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS | 5 | $142,732 |
| 4 | $233,000 |
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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is South San Francisco, CA at $140,000. 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 |
| San Diego, CA | 239 | $122,000 |
| South San Francisco, CA | 238 | $140,000 |
| 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 Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Research Scientist role here (13,951 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $212,472.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,951 | $167,710 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 5,106 | $180,960 |
| Data Scientist | 1,623 | $151,882 |
| Product Manager | 1,588 | $165,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,125 | $165,000 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,118 | $212,472 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,099 | $210,000 |
| Accountant | 1,052 | $108,500 |
| Consultant | 1,010 | $120,994 |
| Associate | 908 | $140,900 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist in San Francisco, CA is $186,307, based on 167 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 59% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $117,478 across all U.S. locations. It is also 19% higher than the overall H-1B median of $156,959 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $92,059 range from the 10th percentile ($140,941) to the 90th percentile ($233,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $163,000 and $205,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UBER TECHNOLOGIES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 48 certified filings at a median salary of $186,800. Among the top employers, GOOGLE pays the highest median at $233,000. The pay spread across top employers is 63%, 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 Francisco, CA, answered directly from 167 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 Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA is $186,307, based on 167 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $140,941
- 25th percentile
- $163,000
- Median
- $186,307
- 75th percentile
- $205,000
- 90th percentile
- $233,000
The salary distribution for Senior Research Scientist roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $140,941, while the 90th percentile earns $233,000. This $92,059 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 Francisco, CA are 48% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Research Scientists in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Research Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Research Scientist roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. UBER TECHNOLOGIES leads with 48 filings at a median salary of $186,800. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $142,732 to $233,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in San Francisco, 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, 167 H-1B positions for Senior Research Scientists in San Francisco, 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.