Staff Research Scientist H-1B Salary in La Jolla, CA
Employers have filed 119 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Research Scientist positions in La Jolla, CA, with a median salary of $76,877. That's 5% lower than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median of $81,264 across all U.S. locations, and 2% higher than the La Jolla, CA all-roles H-1B median of $75,300. Staff Research Scientist ranks #6 among H-1B job titles filed from La Jolla, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff Research Scientist H-1B roles in La Jolla, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,705 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Staff Research Scientist hiring.
Staff Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in La Jolla, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $21,971 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $64,480 and $80,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Research Scientists land. The median of $76,877 sits 5% lower than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $62,899
- 25th percentile
- $64,480
- Median
- $76,877
- 75th percentile
- $80,000
- 90th percentile
- $84,870
Top Employers Hiring Staff Research Scientists in La Jolla, CA
THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Research Scientist in La Jolla, CA, with 78 certified filings (66% of local Staff Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $76,877. Among the top sponsors, THE LOWY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $125,000. The pay spread across top employers is 100%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 100% ($62,400 at SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSITUTE to $125,000 at THE LOWY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 78 | $76,877 |
| SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE | 24 | $75,587 |
| THE SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES | 6 | $81,200 |
| SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSITUTE | 3 | $62,400 |
| THE LOWY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 2 | $125,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Staff 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 La Jolla, CA, which tells you whether Staff Research Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Staff Research Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Staff Research Scientist is an active H-1B role. St. Louis, MO has the most filings (375) outside La Jolla, CA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $152,800. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | 375 | $60,375 |
| Bethesda, MD | 262 | $116,413 |
| Duarte, CA | 125 | $75,578 |
| Seattle, WA | 88 | $92,000 |
| New York, NY | 82 | $80,500 |
| Boston, MA | 79 | $89,170 |
| Houston, TX | 75 | $70,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 74 | $74,000 |
| Nashville, TN | 63 | $72,100 |
| San Francisco, CA | 59 | $152,800 |
Other H-1B Jobs in La Jolla, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from La Jolla, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Associate is the busiest non-Staff Research Scientist role here (333 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $115,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Associate | 333 | $65,292 |
| Research Scientist | 312 | $76,918 |
| Principal Research Associate | 152 | $63,386 |
| Associate Research Associate | 141 | $64,480 |
| Assistant Professor | 121 | $115,000 |
| Staff Research Associate | 116 | $71,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Research Scientist in La Jolla, CA is $76,877, based on 119 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 5% lower than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median of $81,264 across all U.S. locations. It is also 2% higher than the overall H-1B median of $75,300 in La Jolla, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $21,971 range from the 10th percentile ($62,899) to the 90th percentile ($84,870). The middle 50% of workers earn between $64,480 and $80,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in La Jolla, CA, with 78 certified filings at a median salary of $76,877. Among the top employers, THE LOWY MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE pays the highest median at $125,000. The pay spread across top employers is 100%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Staff Research Scientist H-1B roles in La Jolla, CA, answered directly from 119 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 Research Scientist salary in La Jolla, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Research Scientist positions in La Jolla, CA is $76,877, based on 119 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $62,899
- 25th percentile
- $64,480
- Median
- $76,877
- 75th percentile
- $80,000
- 90th percentile
- $84,870
The salary distribution for Staff Research Scientist roles in La Jolla, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $62,899, while the 90th percentile earns $84,870. This $21,971 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Staff Research Scientist salaries in La Jolla, CA are 41% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Research Scientists in La Jolla, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Research Scientist positions in La Jolla, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Research Scientist roles specifically in La Jolla, CA. THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE leads with 78 filings at a median salary of $76,877. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $62,400 to $125,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Research Scientist in La Jolla, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Research Scientist in La Jolla, 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, 119 H-1B positions for Staff Research Scientists in La Jolla, 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.