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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Watertown, MA

Employers have filed 51 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Senior Research Scientist positions in Watertown, MA, with a median salary of $134,971. That's 15% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $117,478 across all U.S. locations, and 23% higher than the Watertown, MA all-roles H-1B median of $110,000. Senior Research Scientist ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from Watertown, MA.

Headline numbers for Senior Research Scientist H-1B roles in Watertown, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #7,344 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Senior Research Scientist hiring.

$134,971
Median Salary
51
Certified Filings
$110,000
10th Percentile
$160,425
90th Percentile

Senior Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in Watertown, MA

The pay distribution for this role spans $50,425 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $115,000 and $150,900, the interquartile range where most experienced Senior Research Scientists land. The median of $134,971 sits 15% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median.

10th percentile
$110,000
25th percentile
$115,000
Median
$134,971
75th percentile
$150,900
90th percentile
$160,425
Middle 50% of Senior Research Scientist H-1B salaries in Watertown, MA: $115,000 to $150,900

Top Employers Hiring Senior Research Scientists in Watertown, MA

ENANTA PHARMACEUTICALS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Senior Research Scientist in Watertown, MA, with 8 certified filings (16% of local Senior Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $117,000. Among the top sponsors, TOME BIOSCIENCES pays the highest median at $157,000. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 51% ($104,000 at CYPROTEX US to $157,000 at TOME BIOSCIENCES)

Employer Filings Median Salary
ENANTA PHARMACEUTICALS 8 $117,000
ORNA THERAPEUTICS 6 $155,000
TOME BIOSCIENCES 4 $157,000
ELI LILLY AND 4 $112,321
CYPROTEX US 2 $104,000

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 Watertown, MA, which tells you whether Senior Research Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Senior Research Scientist
+15%
15% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $117,478.
vs. Watertown, MA Average
+23%
23% higher than the overall H-1B median in Watertown, MA ($110,000).

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 Watertown, 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
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
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

Other H-1B Jobs in Watertown, MA

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Watertown, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Senior Research Scientist role here (57 filings).

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 57 $112,000

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist in Watertown, MA is $134,971, based on 51 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 15% higher than the national Senior Research Scientist H-1B median of $117,478 across all U.S. locations. It is also 23% higher than the overall H-1B median of $110,000 in Watertown, MA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $50,425 range from the 10th percentile ($110,000) to the 90th percentile ($160,425). The middle 50% of workers earn between $115,000 and $150,900, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

ENANTA PHARMACEUTICALS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Watertown, MA, with 8 certified filings at a median salary of $117,000. Among the top employers, TOME BIOSCIENCES pays the highest median at $157,000. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, 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 Watertown, MA, answered directly from 51 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 Watertown, MA?

The median H-1B salary for Senior Research Scientist positions in Watertown, MA is $134,971, based on 51 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$110,000
25th percentile
$115,000
Median
$134,971
75th percentile
$150,900
90th percentile
$160,425

The salary distribution for Senior Research Scientist roles in Watertown, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $110,000, while the 90th percentile earns $160,425. This $50,425 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 Watertown, MA are 7% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Senior Research Scientists in Watertown, MA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Senior Research Scientist positions in Watertown, MA are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Senior Research Scientist roles specifically in Watertown, MA. ENANTA PHARMACEUTICALS leads with 8 filings at a median salary of $117,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $104,000 to $157,000.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in Watertown, MA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Senior Research Scientist in Watertown, MA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 51 H-1B positions for Senior Research Scientists in Watertown, 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.