Staff Research Scientist H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 64 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Research Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $190,000. That's 131% higher than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median of $82,400 across all U.S. locations, and 23% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Staff Research Scientist ranks #106 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Staff Research Scientist H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,442 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Staff Research Scientist hiring.
Staff Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $175,460 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $95,000 and $230,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Research Scientists land. The median of $190,000 sits 131% higher than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $80,000
- 25th percentile
- $95,000
- Median
- $190,000
- 75th percentile
- $230,000
- 90th percentile
- $255,460
Top Employers Hiring Staff Research Scientists in San Francisco, CA
THE J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Research Scientist in San Francisco, CA, with 16 certified filings (25% of local Staff Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $91,460. Among the top sponsors, CRUISE pays the highest median at $255,600. The pay spread across top employers is 179%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 179% ($91,460 at THE J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES to $255,600 at CRUISE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| THE J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES | 16 | $91,460 |
| VITALANT | 8 | $92,000 |
| UBER TECHNOLOGIES | 8 | $225,200 |
| CRUISE | 7 | $255,600 |
| MAPLEBEAR | 2 | $190,000 |
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 San Francisco, 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 (383) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Bethesda, MD at $117,962. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | 383 | $60,476 |
| Bethesda, MD | 272 | $117,962 |
| Duarte, CA | 132 | $80,000 |
| La Jolla, CA | 126 | $78,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 94 | $92,000 |
| Boston, MA | 89 | $87,000 |
| New York, NY | 87 | $80,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 82 | $75,000 |
| Houston, TX | 79 | $70,000 |
| St Louis, MO | 71 | $67,000 |
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 Research Scientist role here (13,033 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,033 | $165,605 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,884 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,537 | $150,488 |
| Product Manager | 1,504 | $164,500 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,087 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,081 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,032 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 1,030 | $107,500 |
| Consultant | 969 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 838 | $138,200 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Research Scientist in San Francisco, CA is $190,000, based on 64 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 131% higher than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median of $82,400 across all U.S. locations. It is also 23% higher than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $175,460 range from the 10th percentile ($80,000) to the 90th percentile ($255,460). The middle 50% of workers earn between $95,000 and $230,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
THE J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 16 certified filings at a median salary of $91,460. Among the top employers, CRUISE pays the highest median at $255,600. The pay spread across top employers is 179%, 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 San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 64 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 San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Research Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA is $190,000, based on 64 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $80,000
- 25th percentile
- $95,000
- Median
- $190,000
- 75th percentile
- $230,000
- 90th percentile
- $255,460
The salary distribution for Staff Research Scientist roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $80,000, while the 90th percentile earns $255,460. This $175,460 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Staff Research Scientist salaries in San Francisco, CA are 45% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Research Scientists in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Research Scientist positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Research Scientist roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. THE J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES leads with 16 filings at a median salary of $91,460. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $91,460 to $255,600.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Research Scientist in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Research 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, 64 H-1B positions for Staff Research 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.