Research Manager (Natural Sciences) salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 24 certified H-1B filings in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes La Jolla, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista.
Also listed as: Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Research Manager
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $98,835 |
| 25th | $122,082 |
| 50th (median) | $171,080 |
| 75th | $241,913 |
| 90th | $287,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 4 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2022 | $134,662 | $94,869 | $176,030 | 21 |
| FY2023 | $128,285 | $110,024 | $161,096 | 11 |
| FY2024 | $167,587 | $98,118 | $207,250 | 14 |
| FY2025 | $135,000 | $112,447 | $175,540 | 15 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 9 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median Research Manager (Natural Sciences) salary of $171,080 is worth about $152,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Diego = 111.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Natural Sciences Managers in the San Diego, CA area earned a median of $207,200 in May 2025 (2,890 employed). The H-1B median here is $171,080, 17% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Southern California | too few | 4 |
| Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute | too few | 3 |
| Capstan Therapeutics | 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 | too few | 4 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 2 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.