Mid-level Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 63 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II 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 | $110,323 |
| 25th | $144,615 |
| 50th (median) | $170,000 |
| 75th | $179,100 |
| 90th | $186,800 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $102,502 | $102,502 | $112,500 | 31 |
| FY2021 | $102,835 | $102,835 | $110,136 | 58 |
| FY2022 | $110,136 | $110,136 | $145,000 | 59 |
| FY2023 | $116,440 | $114,920 | $164,600 | 47 |
| FY2024 | $154,500 | $125,000 | $156,975 | 22 |
| FY2025 | $150,200 | $112,945 | $167,250 | 26 |
| FY2026 | $175,100 | $160,000 | $185,300 | 37 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median mid-level Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $170,000 is worth about $151,900 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 $170,000, 40% 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
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $174,500 | 40 |
| Comma.ai | too few | 3 |
| Samsung Semiconductor | 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 | $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.