Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 117 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Research Scientist positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $155,000. That's 35% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $115,004 across all U.S. locations, and 9% higher than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,110. Senior Research Scientist ranks #87 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Senior Research Scientist H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,846 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Research Scientist hiring.
Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $125,483 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $118,795 and $192,258, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Research Scientists land. The median of $155,000 sits 35% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $94,162
- 25th percentile
- $118,795
- Median
- $155,000
- 75th percentile
- $192,258
- 90th percentile
- $219,645
Top Employers Hiring Senior Research Scientists in Seattle, WA
ZILLOW is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Research Scientist in Seattle, WA, with 13 certified filings (11% of local Senior Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $195,000. The pay spread across top employers is 139%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 139% ($81,700 at INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY to $195,000 at ZILLOW)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ZILLOW | 13 | $195,000 |
| UBER TECHNOLOGIES | 9 | $174,000 |
| ALLEN INSTITUTE | 4 | $137,890 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | 4 | $106,260 |
| INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY | 4 | $81,700 |
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 Seattle, WA, 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 (628) outside Seattle, WA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $185,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 628 | $122,000 |
| New York, NY | 537 | $87,945 |
| Boston, MA | 264 | $120,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 219 | $120,000 |
| South San Francisco, CA | 219 | $139,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 149 | $185,000 |
| Rahway, NJ | 139 | $111,400 |
| Houston, TX | 128 | $96,584 |
| Tarrytown, NY | 124 | $138,448 |
| Memphis, TN | 122 | $104,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Research Scientist role here (10,229 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $185,037.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 10,229 | $159,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 8,107 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,269 | $125,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,234 | $149,700 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,167 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,083 | $179,546 |
| Program Manager III | 1,521 | $147,000 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,383 | $185,037 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 1,212 | $120,000 |
| Program Manager II | 1,191 | $120,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist in Seattle, WA is $155,000, based on 117 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 35% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $115,004 across all U.S. locations. It is also 9% higher than the overall H-1B median of $142,110 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $125,483 range from the 10th percentile ($94,162) to the 90th percentile ($219,645). The middle 50% of workers earn between $118,795 and $192,258, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ZILLOW is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 13 certified filings at a median salary of $195,000. The pay spread across top employers is 139%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 117 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist positions in Seattle, WA is $155,000, based on 117 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $94,162
- 25th percentile
- $118,795
- Median
- $155,000
- 75th percentile
- $192,258
- 90th percentile
- $219,645
The salary distribution for Senior Research Scientist roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $94,162, while the 90th percentile earns $219,645. This $125,483 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Senior Research Scientist salaries in Seattle, WA are 19% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Research Scientists in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Research Scientist positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Research Scientist roles specifically in Seattle, WA. ZILLOW leads with 13 filings at a median salary of $195,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $81,700 to $195,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in Seattle, WA, 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, 117 H-1B positions for Senior Research Scientists in Seattle, WA 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.