Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in Atlanta, GA
Based on 84 certified H-1B filings in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Alpharetta, Roswell, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Johns Creek.
Also listed as: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Researcher
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $82,466 |
| 25th | $106,766 |
| 50th (median) | $131,611 |
| 75th | $162,802 |
| 90th | $180,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $99,561 | $93,309 | $118,000 | 35 |
| FY2021 | $96,000 | $95,638 | $119,072 | 51 |
| FY2022 | $120,000 | $89,066 | $150,000 | 49 |
| FY2023 | $120,120 | $93,500 | $140,000 | 49 |
| FY2024 | $131,043 | $103,813 | $147,652 | 36 |
| FY2025 | $134,222 | $101,250 | $164,337 | 50 |
| FY2026 | $125,005 | $106,766 | $153,171 | 34 |
Cost of living
Atlanta's median Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $131,611 is worth about $131,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Atlanta = 100.1).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Atlanta, GA area earned a median of $166,800 in May 2025 (110 employed). The H-1B median here is $131,611, 21% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Laboratories | $106,766 | 18 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | too few | 8 |
| Microsoft | too few | 8 |
| Amazon | too few | 5 |
| Wabtec US Rail | too few | 4 |
| Pindrop Security | too few | 3 |
| AT&T | too few | 2 |
| Dematic | too few | 2 |
| Elevance Health | too few | 2 |
| Georgia State University | 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 | $81,000 | 16 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $107,263 | 34 |
| Senior · Level III | $158,776 | 13 |
| Expert · Level IV | $172,500 | 20 |
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 | $59,634 | $81,000 | 16 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $106,766 | $107,263 | 34 |
| Senior · Level III | $112,237 | $158,776 | 13 |
| Expert · Level IV | $134,222 | $172,500 | 20 |
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.