Staff Data Scientist H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 101 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Data Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $216,000. That's 23% higher than the national Staff Data Scientist H-1B median of $175,000 across all U.S. locations, and 38% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $156,959. Staff Data Scientist ranks #83 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff Data Scientist H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,566 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Staff Data Scientist hiring.
Staff Data Scientist H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $108,360 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $188,885 and $245,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Data Scientists land. The median of $216,000 sits 23% higher than the national Staff Data Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $162,240
- 25th percentile
- $188,885
- Median
- $216,000
- 75th percentile
- $245,000
- 90th percentile
- $270,600
Top Employers Hiring Staff Data Scientists in San Francisco, CA
OPENAI OPCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA, with 10 certified filings (10% of local Staff Data Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $325,000. The pay spread across top employers is 89%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 89% ($172,170 at WALMART to $325,000 at OPENAI OPCO)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| OPENAI OPCO | 10 | $325,000 |
| SOCIAL FINANCE | 9 | $230,000 |
| UDEMY | 4 | $205,000 |
| AIRBNB | 4 | $194,000 |
| WALMART | 4 | $172,170 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Staff Data 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 Staff Data Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Staff Data Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Staff Data Scientist is an active H-1B role. Sunnyvale, CA has the most filings (170) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $201,400. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale, CA | 170 | $172,170 |
| Mountain View, CA | 84 | $195,354 |
| Bentonville, AR | 83 | $156,560 |
| New York, NY | 53 | $201,400 |
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-Staff Data 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 Staff Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA is $216,000, based on 101 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 23% higher than the national Staff Data Scientist H-1B median of $175,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 38% higher than the overall H-1B median of $156,959 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $108,360 range from the 10th percentile ($162,240) to the 90th percentile ($270,600). The middle 50% of workers earn between $188,885 and $245,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
OPENAI OPCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 10 certified filings at a median salary of $325,000. The pay spread across top employers is 89%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Staff Data Scientist H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 101 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 Staff Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Data Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA is $216,000, based on 101 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $162,240
- 25th percentile
- $188,885
- Median
- $216,000
- 75th percentile
- $245,000
- 90th percentile
- $270,600
The salary distribution for Staff Data Scientist roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $162,240, while the 90th percentile earns $270,600. This $108,360 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Staff Data Scientist salaries in San Francisco, CA are 71% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Data Scientists in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Data Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Data Scientist roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. OPENAI OPCO leads with 10 filings at a median salary of $325,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $172,170 to $325,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Data 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, 101 H-1B positions for Staff Data 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.