Entry-level Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in Atlanta, GA

Based on 16 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I 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

Median salary$81,000

Middle 50%$75k–$90.1k

vs. all levels here−38%comparison median $131,611

Filings16FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years

Salary range

All levels here

$60k$70k$80k$90k$100k$110k$120k$130k$140k$150k

Box: middle 50% of filings. Whiskers: 10th–90th percentile. 99% of filings are between $62,170 and $152,695.

Percentile	Salary
10th	$71,250
25th	$75,000
50th (median)	$81,000
75th	$90,050
90th	$124,983

Cost of living

Atlanta's median entry-level Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $81,000 is worth about $81,000 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 $81,000, 51% lower.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.

Employers filing at this level

Employer	Median	Filings
Georgia Institute of Technology	too few	6
Dolby Laboratories	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.