Mid-level Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in Raleigh, NC

Based on 11 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Apex, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs.

Also listed as: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Researcher

Median salary$126,000
Middle 50%$121.2k–$148.1k
vs. all levels here−8%comparison median $137,559
Filings11FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years

Salary range

Box: middle 50% of filings. Whiskers: 10th–90th percentile. 99% of filings are between $100,011 and $204,069.
PercentileSalary
10th$116,905
25th$121,227
50th (median)$126,000
75th$148,100
90th$164,940

Cost of living

Raleigh's median mid-level Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $126,000 is worth about $128,400 at national average prices.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Raleigh = 98.2).

Compared with all workers here

All Computer and Information Research Scientists in the Raleigh, NC area earned a median of $128,370 in May 2025 (280 employed). The H-1B median here is $126,000, 2% 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

EmployerMedianFilings
Iqviatoo few2
Relxtoo few2

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

By experience level

Wage levelMedianFilings
Entry-level · Level I – 0
Mid-level · Level II $126,000 11
Senior · Level III too few 4
Expert · Level IV – 0

Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.

Minimum H-1B salary by level

Wage levelPrevailing wage (most common)Median offered salaryFilings
Mid-level · Level II$125,549$126,00011

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.