Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary in South San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 219 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Research Scientist positions in South San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $139,000. That's 21% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $115,004 across all U.S. locations, and 4% higher than the South San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $133,200. Senior Research Scientist ranks #3 among H-1B job titles filed from South San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Senior Research Scientist H-1B roles in South San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,440 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Senior Research Scientist hiring.
Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in South San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $55,600 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $120,078 and $152,041, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Research Scientists land. The median of $139,000 sits 21% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $109,600
- 25th percentile
- $120,078
- Median
- $139,000
- 75th percentile
- $152,041
- 90th percentile
- $165,200
Top Employers Hiring Senior Research Scientists in South San Francisco, CA
ABBVIE BIOTHERAPEUTICS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Research Scientist in South San Francisco, CA, with 42 certified filings (19% of local Senior Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $135,000. Among the top sponsors, AMGEN pays the highest median at $155,100. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 24% ($125,000 at MRL SAN FRANCISCO to $155,100 at AMGEN)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ABBVIE BIOTHERAPEUTICS | 42 | $135,000 |
| GENENTECH | 36 | $145,300 |
| MRL SAN FRANCISCO | 19 | $125,000 |
| AMGEN | 13 | $155,100 |
| ABBVIE | 8 | $140,000 |
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 South 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 (628) outside South San Francisco, CA. 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 |
| 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 |
| Seattle, WA | 117 | $155,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in South San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from South San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Scientist is the busiest non-Senior Research Scientist role here (390 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $170,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Scientist | 390 | $125,278 |
| Software Engineer | 277 | $155,605 |
| Consultant | 150 | $160,000 |
| Data Scientist | 86 | $142,000 |
| Senior Research Associate | 85 | $103,771 |
| Architect | 83 | $121,764 |
| Research Scientist II | 71 | $120,000 |
| Associate Consultant | 67 | $135,100 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 59 | $170,000 |
| Project Manager | 51 | $121,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist in South San Francisco, CA is $139,000, based on 219 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 21% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $115,004 across all U.S. locations. It is also 4% higher than the overall H-1B median of $133,200 in South San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $55,600 range from the 10th percentile ($109,600) to the 90th percentile ($165,200). The middle 50% of workers earn between $120,078 and $152,041, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ABBVIE BIOTHERAPEUTICS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in South San Francisco, CA, with 42 certified filings at a median salary of $135,000. Among the top employers, AMGEN pays the highest median at $155,100. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, 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 South San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 219 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 South San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist positions in South San Francisco, CA is $139,000, based on 219 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $109,600
- 25th percentile
- $120,078
- Median
- $139,000
- 75th percentile
- $152,041
- 90th percentile
- $165,200
The salary distribution for Senior Research Scientist roles in South San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $109,600, while the 90th percentile earns $165,200. This $55,600 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 South San Francisco, CA are 6% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Senior Research Scientists in South San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Research Scientist positions in South San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Research Scientist roles specifically in South San Francisco, CA. ABBVIE BIOTHERAPEUTICS leads with 42 filings at a median salary of $135,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $125,000 to $155,100.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in South San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in South 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, 219 H-1B positions for Senior Research Scientists in South 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.