Entry-level Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 29 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes La Jolla.
Also listed as: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Researcher
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $130,461 |
| 25th | $152,000 |
| 50th (median) | $165,000 |
| 75th | $173,400 |
| 90th | $188,800 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 5 |
| FY2021 | $96,000 | $83,946 | $154,963 | 18 |
| FY2022 | $152,000 | $128,250 | $155,000 | 26 |
| FY2023 | $156,000 | $135,300 | $161,250 | 24 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2025 | – | – | – | 7 |
| FY2026 | $166,100 | $160,000 | $175,650 | 22 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median entry-level Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $165,000 is worth about $147,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Diego = 111.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer and Information Research Scientists in the San Diego, CA area earned a median of $121,530 in May 2025 (1,680 employed). The H-1B median here is $165,000, 36% 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
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $165,000 | 29 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $170,000 | 63 |
| Senior · Level III | $171,700 | 34 |
| Expert · Level IV | $200,000 | 15 |
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 | $75,982 | $165,000 | 29 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $102,149 | $170,000 | 63 |
| Senior · Level III | $128,294 | $171,700 | 34 |
| Expert · Level IV | $154,461 | $200,000 | 15 |
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.