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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

Staff Data Scientist H-1B Visa Salary Data

There have been 1,077 certified H-1B filings for Staff Data Scientist positions from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median salary is $175,000, which is 39% higher than the overall H-1B median of $126,302.

1,077
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$175,000
Median Salary
+39% vs national
$232,000
90th Percentile
Top earners
+14%
Salary Growth
Since FY 2020

Salary Distribution

Salary Range Distribution

Most Staff Data Scientist H-1B salaries fall between $160,000 and $204,900.

Median Salary Trend

Staff Data Scientist salaries have grown 14% from FY 2020 ($162,240) to FY 2026 ($185,374).

Top Employers & Locations

Top Employers for Staff Data Scientist

Employer Filings Median
WALMART 358 $171,337
INTUIT 79 $185,374
MICROSOFT 39 $190,000
VISA U.S.A. 19 $138,798
SOCIAL FINANCE 19 $220,320
PAYPAL 13 $230,000
GE HEALTHCARE IITS USA 12 $155,100
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED 12 $156,000
PALO ALTO NETWORKS 12 $167,781
BLUE YONDER 12 $104,333

Top Locations for Staff Data Scientist

Location Filings Median
Sunnyvale, CA (all jobs) 170 $172,170
San Francisco, CA (all jobs) 101 $216,000
Mountain View, CA (all jobs) 84 $195,354
Bentonville, AR (all jobs) 83 $156,560
New York, NY (all jobs) 53 $201,400
Hoboken, NJ 34 $195,000
San Jose, CA 31 $205,000
Bellevue, WA 30 $208,460
Austin, TX 30 $147,634
Santa Clara, CA 30 $172,500

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Staff Data Scientist is $175,000, based on 1,077 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 39% higher than the overall H-1B median of $126,302. Median pay has grown 14% since FY 2020 ($162,240 → $185,374).

Salaries span a $97,967 range from the 10th percentile ($134,033) to the 90th percentile ($232,000). The middle 50% of Staff Data Scientists earn between $160,000 and $204,900, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, company tier, and geographic location.

WALMART is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role, with 358 certified filings at a median salary of $171,337. Among the top sponsors, PAYPAL pays the highest median at $230,000. The pay spread across top employers is 120%.

Geographically, Sunnyvale, CA has the highest concentration of Staff Data Scientist H-1B filings (170) at a median of $172,170. The highest-paying metro among the top locations is San Francisco, CA at $216,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Staff Data Scientist H-1B salary?

The median H-1B salary for Staff Data Scientist positions is $175,000, based on 1,077 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This salary is 39% higher than the overall H-1B median of $126,302. Compensation varies significantly by employer type—large tech companies typically pay $204,900 to $232,000, while consulting firms and smaller employers may offer $134,033 to $160,000. Location also impacts pay, with coastal tech hubs commanding premium salaries.

10th percentile
$134,033
25th percentile
$160,000
Median
$175,000
75th percentile
$204,900
90th percentile
$232,000

Salaries range from $134,033 at the 10th percentile to $232,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $97,967 spread. The 25th percentile is $160,000 and the 75th percentile is $204,900.

Which companies hire the most Staff Data Scientists on H-1B?

H-1B sponsorship for Staff Data Scientist positions spans various industries and employer types. The top sponsors reflect where demand for this role is highest, with compensation varying based on employer size, industry sector, and geographic location. Larger employers often have established visa sponsorship programs and immigration support.

WALMART is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Data Scientist positions with 358 filings at a median salary of $171,337. INTUIT follows with 79 filings.

Where are Staff Data Scientist H-1B jobs located?

Staff Data Scientist H-1B positions are concentrated in major tech hubs and metropolitan areas with strong technology ecosystems. The San Francisco Bay Area (including San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View) and Seattle-Redmond corridor dominate due to headquarters of major tech employers. New York City attracts Staff Data Scientists across finance, media, and tech sectors. Emerging hubs like Austin, Denver, and Raleigh-Durham offer growing opportunities with lower costs of living compared to coastal cities.

Sunnyvale, CA has the highest concentration of Staff Data Scientist H-1B filings with 170 positions at a median salary of $172,170. The highest-paying location is San Francisco, CA at $216,000 median.

How have Staff Data Scientist salaries changed over time?

Staff Data Scientist H-1B salaries have grown by +14% from FY 2020 to FY 2026, outpacing general inflation in most years. The median rose from $162,240 to $185,374 during this period. This growth reflects increasing demand for skilled tech workers, competitive hiring among major employers, and broader salary inflation in the technology sector. The distribution has also widened, with top-tier companies offering increasingly premium compensation to attract talent, while entry-level positions have seen more modest gains.

Salary Distribution by Year
FY 21
$172K
FY 22
$171K
FY 23
$170K
FY 24
$170K
FY 25
$180K
FY 26
$185K
$120K $245K

Year-by-year breakdown:

  • FY 2022: $170,825 (130 certified)
  • FY 2023: $170,000 (142 certified)
  • FY 2024: $170,000 (186 certified)
  • FY 2025: $180,128 (280 certified)
  • FY 2026: $185,374 (208 certified)