Apple Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary

Based on 23 H-1B filings by Apple, fiscal years 2025–2026. Base salary only.

Also listed as: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Researcher

Median salary$181,532
Middle 50%$164.6k–$203k
vs. all employers−2%comparison median $185,536
Filings23FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years

Salary range

Box: middle 50% of filings. Whiskers: 10th–90th percentile. 99% of filings are between $135,346 and $234,903.
PercentileSalary
10th$144,595
25th$164,643
50th (median)$181,532
75th$203,046
90th$222,443

Salary by year

Median salary

$150k $180k $210k FY2021: median $171,163 (15 filings) FY2023: median $180,000 (20 filings) FY2025: median $195,660 (10 filings) FY2026: median $181,100 (13 filings) FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26

Filings per year

FY2020: 3 filings FY20 FY2021: 15 filings FY21 FY2022: 4 filings FY22 FY2023: 20 filings FY23 FY2024: 5 filings FY24 FY2025: 10 filings FY25 FY2026: 13 filings FY26 20
Shaded: FY2025–FY2026, the years behind the figures above. Median shown for years with at least 10 filings. FY2026 covers Q1–Q3 only.
Show as table
Fiscal yearMedianP25P75Filings
FY2020–––3
FY2021$171,163$144,123$184,68315
FY2022–––4
FY2023$180,000$155,428$190,63820
FY2024–––5
FY2025$195,660$149,141$217,96210
FY2026$181,100$171,414$183,60513

By state

California
$193,409
Texas
$145,191
Massachusetts
$178,006
New York
$143,894
Washington
$178,006

Bar length: number of filings (California 17). Figure: average salary in that state.

By city

Cupertino, CA$183,605 · 15 filings

Cities with at least 10 filings. Figure: median salary.

By experience level

Wage levelMedianFilings
Level I · Entry too few 1
Level II · Qualified too few 3
Level III · Experienced too few 5
Level IV · Fully competent too few 2

Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.

Questions

How much does a research scientist (computer science) make at Apple?

In H-1B filings, Apple's median base salary for Research Scientist (Computer Science) is $181,532; half of filings fall between $164,643 and $203,046. Bonus and stock are not included.

Does Apple sponsor H-1B visas for research scientist (computer science)s?

Yes. Apple filed 23 certified Labor Condition Applications for this role in FY2025–FY2026. A filing is a step before the visa petition, not an approval.

Which job titles are included?

Filings are grouped by occupation code 15-1221 (Computer and Information Research Scientists), so this page covers every job title Apple filed under that code.

Where does this data come from?

The U.S. Department of Labor's public LCA disclosure files, updated every quarter. Methodology