Expert Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in Pittsburgh, PA

Based on 11 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Mars, Pittsburg, Sewickley.

Also listed as: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Researcher

Median salary$238,630
Middle 50%$176k–$280.8k
vs. all levels here+42%comparison median $167,580
Filings11FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years

Salary range

Box: middle 50% of filings. Whiskers: 10th–90th percentile. 99% of filings are between $151,909 and $359,274.
PercentileSalary
10th$161,145
25th$176,000
50th (median)$238,630
75th$280,800
90th$280,800

Cost of living

Pittsburgh's median expert Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $238,630 is worth about $252,100 at national average prices.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Pittsburgh = 94.7).

Compared with all workers here

All Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Pittsburgh, PA area earned a median of $130,300 in May 2025 (50 employed). The H-1B median here is $238,630, 83% higher.

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

EmployerMedianFilings
Netramind Innovationstoo few4
Amazontoo few2

Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.

By experience level

Wage levelMedianFilings
Entry-level · Level I $111,500 28
Mid-level · Level II $160,500 30
Senior · Level III $192,668 21
Expert · Level IV $238,630 11

Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.

Minimum H-1B salary by level

Wage levelPrevailing wage (most common)Median offered salaryFilings
Entry-level · Level I$60,965$111,50028
Mid-level · Level II$131,456$160,50030
Senior · Level III$134,826$192,66821
Expert · Level IV$150,883$238,63011

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.