Medical Scientist salary in Seattle, WA
Based on 103 certified H-1B filings in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Redmond, Bothell, Bellevue, Everett, Gig Harbor.
Also listed as: Research Scientist, Associate Research Scientist
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $69,243 |
| 25th | $75,672 |
| 50th (median) | $84,406 |
| 75th | $94,866 |
| 90th | $168,425 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $67,786 | $57,780 | $79,752 | 35 |
| FY2021 | $68,792 | $56,712 | $87,384 | 60 |
| FY2022 | $71,037 | $59,717 | $90,000 | 41 |
| FY2023 | $85,008 | $70,438 | $110,000 | 35 |
| FY2024 | $78,930 | $69,063 | $106,017 | 60 |
| FY2025 | $79,371 | $70,221 | $98,751 | 62 |
| FY2026 | $85,200 | $77,976 | $94,560 | 41 |
Cost of living
Seattle's median Medical Scientist salary of $84,406 is worth about $76,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Seattle = 111.1).
Compared with all workers here
All Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in the Seattle, WA area earned a median of $105,430 in May 2025 (5,480 employed). The H-1B median here is $84,406, 20% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| University of Washington | $80,946 | 42 |
| Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center | $84,406 | 19 |
| Swedish Health Services | too few | 6 |
| Benaroya Research Institute | too few | 5 |
| Bloodworks Northwest | too few | 5 |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | too few | 5 |
| Seattle Children's Hospital | too few | 3 |
| ClearView Healthcare Partners | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $77,976 | 27 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $82,289 | 40 |
| Senior · Level III | $123,098 | 10 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 4 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $59,155 | $77,976 | 27 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $69,243 | $82,289 | 40 |
| Senior · Level III | $112,715 | $123,098 | 10 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.