National Institutes of Health, HHS
H-1B salaries and sponsorship, from 277 certified filings (FY2025–FY2026)
- Scientific Research and Development Services
- Main U.S. filing address: Bethesda, MD
At a glance
- National Institutes of Health, HHS hires entry-level. 52% of its filings are Level I, 2.7 times the share across all H-1B employers (19%).
- Most filed: Medical Scientist. 50% of its filings. After that come Molecular and Cellular Biologist and Biochemist.
- Mostly above the prevailing wage. 99% of filings are above the prevailing wage. Median offer $108,992, median prevailing wage $68,536.
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Percentiles from National Institutes of Health, HHS's certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Jobs with at least 10 filings.
What National Institutes of Health, HHS hires for
Bar: share of National Institutes of Health, HHS's filings. Figure: median base salary.
Show all 3 jobs
| Job | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientist | $108,963 | 138 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologist | $107,187 | 84 |
| Biochemist | $99,856 | 38 |
Jobs with at least 10 filings at National Institutes of Health, HHS.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 52% of filings
Mid-level · 31% of filings
Senior · 10% of filings
Expert · 8% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $101,365 | 108 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $124,222 | 64 |
| Senior · Level III | $124,278 | 20 |
| Expert · Level IV | $141,126 | 16 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Where National Institutes of Health, HHS files
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 2 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $108,992 | 259 |
| Durham, NC | $91,308 | 11 |
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $90,354 |
| 25th | $97,500 |
| 50th (median) | $108,992 |
| 75th | $122,853 |
| 90th | $142,825 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $83,699 | $73,554 | $99,172 | 266 |
| FY2021 | $86,493 | $77,529 | $102,553 | 302 |
| FY2022 | $89,995 | $80,115 | $106,551 | 267 |
| FY2023 | $93,993 | $84,586 | $107,614 | 314 |
| FY2024 | $103,670 | $94,199 | $117,962 | 284 |
| FY2025 | $107,280 | $95,112 | $120,515 | 162 |
| FY2026 | $111,745 | $101,459 | $124,220 | 115 |
Pay vs. prevailing wage
Filing at exactly the prevailing wage does not mean low pay: at senior levels and in high-cost areas the prevailing wage itself is high.
Job titles at National Institutes of Health, HHS
| Job title | Median | Middle 50% | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Fellow | $101,009 | $94.2k–$108.8k | 159 |
| Staff Scientist | $124,223 | $120.6k–$131k | 75 |
| Clinical Fellow | $101,761 | $91.8k–$111k | 27 |
| Investigator Tenure Track | $159,940 | $155.8k–$167.7k | 10 |
Job titles as written on the filings, with at least 10 filings. Middle 50%: 25th–75th percentile.
About National Institutes of Health, HHS
National Institutes of Health, HHS's filings list its industry as Scientific Research and Development Services (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, NAICS 5417). Its main U.S. filing address is in Bethesda, MD and its filings in the data run from FY2020 to FY2026 Q3. In the latest two fiscal years, the most filed jobs are Medical Scientist, Molecular and Cellular Biologist and Biochemist and the main metro areas are Washington, DC, Durham, NC and Baltimore, MD. The most common wage level in those years is Level I (entry-level).
Questions
Does National Institutes of Health, HHS sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes. National Institutes of Health, HHS filed 277 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications in FY2025–FY2026, the latest two fiscal years. The most recent filing in the data is from FY2026 Q3. A certified LCA is a step before the H-1B petition; it is not a visa approval.
How much does National Institutes of Health, HHS pay H-1B workers?
The median base salary on National Institutes of Health, HHS's H-1B filings is $108,992; half of filings fall between $97,500 and $122,853. Bonus and stock are not included.