Staff Research Scientist H-1B Salary in Seattle, WA
Employers have filed 88 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Staff Research Scientist positions in Seattle, WA, with a median salary of $92,000. That's 13% higher than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median of $81,264 across all U.S. locations, and 35% lower than the Seattle, WA all-roles H-1B median of $142,000. Staff Research Scientist ranks #104 among H-1B job titles filed from Seattle, WA.
Headline numbers for Staff Research Scientist H-1B roles in Seattle, WA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,732 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 Seattle, WA
The pay distribution for this role spans $141,918 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $80,000 and $114,554, the interquartile range where most experienced Staff Research Scientists land. The median of $92,000 sits 13% higher than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $70,002
- 25th percentile
- $80,000
- Median
- $92,000
- 75th percentile
- $114,554
- 90th percentile
- $211,920
Top Employers Hiring Staff Research Scientists in Seattle, WA
FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER is the largest H-1B sponsor for Staff Research Scientist in Seattle, WA, with 41 certified filings (47% of local Staff Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $97,011. Among the top sponsors, UBER pays the highest median at $219,400. The pay spread across top employers is 168%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 168% ($82,000 at FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER to $219,400 at UBER)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER | 41 | $97,011 |
| FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER | 23 | $82,000 |
| BENAROYA RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT VIRGINIA MASON | 6 | $85,000 |
| BENAROYA RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 4 | $93,349 |
| UBER | 3 | $219,400 |
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 Seattle, WA, 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 Seattle, WA. 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 |
| La Jolla, CA | 119 | $76,877 |
| 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 Seattle, WA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Seattle, WA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Staff Research Scientist role here (9,911 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Manager Iii, Software Development at a median of $184,900.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,911 | $158,500 |
| Software Engineer II | 7,913 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,155 | $125,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,174 | $149,500 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,094 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,998 | $176,000 |
| Program Manager III | 1,470 | $147,630 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,311 | $184,900 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 1,191 | $120,000 |
| Program Manager II | 1,170 | $119,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Staff Research Scientist in Seattle, WA is $92,000, based on 88 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 13% higher than the national Staff Research Scientist H-1B median of $81,264 across all U.S. locations. It is also 35% lower than the overall H-1B median of $142,000 in Seattle, WA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $141,918 range from the 10th percentile ($70,002) to the 90th percentile ($211,920). The middle 50% of workers earn between $80,000 and $114,554, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Seattle, WA, with 41 certified filings at a median salary of $97,011. Among the top employers, UBER pays the highest median at $219,400. The pay spread across top employers is 168%, 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 Seattle, WA, answered directly from 88 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 Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary for Staff Research Scientist positions in Seattle, WA is $92,000, based on 88 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $70,002
- 25th percentile
- $80,000
- Median
- $92,000
- 75th percentile
- $114,554
- 90th percentile
- $211,920
The salary distribution for Staff Research Scientist roles in Seattle, WA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $70,002, while the 90th percentile earns $211,920. This $141,918 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 Seattle, WA are 30% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Staff Research Scientists in Seattle, WA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Staff Research Scientist positions in Seattle, WA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Staff Research Scientist roles specifically in Seattle, WA. FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER leads with 41 filings at a median salary of $97,011. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $82,000 to $219,400.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Staff Research Scientist in Seattle, WA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Staff Research Scientist in Seattle, WA, 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, 88 H-1B positions for Staff Research Scientists in Seattle, WA 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.