Entry-level Research Manager (Natural Sciences) salary in San Francisco, CA
Based on 10 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes South San Francisco, Foster City, Emeryville, Berkeley, Redwood City.
Also listed as: Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Research Manager
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $146,690 |
| 25th | $154,848 |
| 50th (median) | $165,819 |
| 75th | $185,000 |
| 90th | $192,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $137,500 | $124,763 | $150,000 | 16 |
| FY2021 | $124,051 | $124,051 | $136,865 | 13 |
| FY2022 | $131,457 | $130,582 | $141,000 | 16 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 7 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 2 |
| FY2025 | – | – | – | 5 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 5 |
Cost of living
San Francisco's median entry-level Research Manager (Natural Sciences) salary of $165,819 is worth about $143,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Francisco = 115.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Natural Sciences Managers in the San Francisco, CA area earned a median of $225,230 in May 2025 (5,530 employed). The H-1B median here is $165,819, 26% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $165,819 | 10 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $204,859 | 22 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
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 | $161,637 | $165,819 | 10 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $193,170 | $204,859 | 22 |
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.