Senior Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 34 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level III 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 | $144,000 |
| 25th | $148,787 |
| 50th (median) | $171,700 |
| 75th | $183,961 |
| 90th | $210,253 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 3 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 7 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2024 | $177,850 | $165,350 | $198,250 | 10 |
| FY2025 | $177,650 | $148,803 | $200,903 | 12 |
| FY2026 | $170,450 | $150,578 | $177,338 | 22 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median senior Research Scientist (Computer Science) salary of $171,700 is worth about $153,500 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 $171,700, 41% 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.