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Research Associate -86% 5-Year Decline

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Job Market Trend:-20.1%vs Q1 2025
Top Sponsor: Northwestern University (22 filings)
Highest Pay: Chestnut Hill, MA ($112,000)
Official Federal Category: 19-1042.00 - Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Market Demand i
C
FY 2026
2023 B
2024 B
2025 B
Certified Volume i
258
Approved in FY 2026
National Median Salary i
$71,512
Typical yearly pay
PERM Conversion i
2.70%
Transition to residency
10-Year Growth i
41.00%
Decade salary trend
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Algorithmic Intelligence Brief

An automated market review of the Research Associate role.

Active Hiring Pipelines: "C"

There is a steady corporate appetite for Research Associate roles right now. Companies filed 258 visa requests this period, translating to a solid "C" H1B Index score.

Low Client Focus

If you want to avoid outside contract work, this is a great choice. 99.2% of these jobs are direct company roles.

Experienced Salary Growth

Workers who stay in this career path see strong salary growth over time. Reaching the senior expert level usually boosts the starting pay by about +42%.

Lower Approval Odds

This role has a lower approval rate of just 71.3%. The government denies or delays these visa requests more often than typical jobs.

Out-of-State Flexibility

This career pathway is provably remote-friendly. Geographic data confirms that 5.0% of these professionals actively work hundreds of miles away from their company's main headquarters.

Role & Industry Structure

Federal classifications for this position.

Employment Type: Employers usually want full-time workers here, making up 95.3% of these jobs.

Hiring Markets: The jobs are split between two main fields: Educational Services contributes 83.3% and Professional, Scientific, and Tech Services adds 11.6%.

Salary Range: The baseline salary for this career starts around $71,512. However, the growth scales up to $200,000.

Academic Background: Companies in the Educational Services field use a standard Bachelor's degree for all their permanent job placements.

10-Year Median Salary Trajectory

Comparing national base compensation growth for Research Associates. temporary H-1B medians vs permanent Green Card (PERM).
Wage Growth: +41.0%. The median pay for this job has grown over the last decade.
Average Salary Growth: +$9,497. The median pay for this position rises by 13.5% during the Green Card process.

Top Hiring Employers

Companies sponsoring the most visas for this role.
Company & Median Pay Total Approvals

Top Paying Tech Hubs

Cities ranked by highest median salaries.

Salary Percentiles i

Distribution across all federal filings.

Talent Sourcing Origin

Where employers source these workers from.

O*NET Wage Level Economics

Salary breakdown scaled by federal experience classifications.

O*NET Wage Distribution

Wage Levels Breakdown

Experience LevelTotal FilingsCohort SizeMinimum BaseMedian Salary
Entry Level (Level I)13853.5%$40,502$67,626
Qualified (Level II)6826.4%$42,765$75,624
Experienced (Level III)2610.1%$61,922$81,683
Fully Competent (Level IV)93.5%$64,272$95,931
Not Disclosed (Blank)176.6%$51,000$68,053

Acquisition & Industry Allocation

Talent pipeline metrics and top hiring sectors for Research Associates.

Talent Pipeline

Fresh Hires (83.3%)Transfers/Poached (16.7%)

Green Card (PERM) Conversion i

2.70% of active filings transition to residency.

Industry Sector Allocation

Primary Sector & Median Pay Total Filings
Educational Services 83.3% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: Northwestern University | Median: $70,700
215
Professional, Scientific, And Tech Services 11.6% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: Brookhaven National Laboratory | Median: $74,678
30
Healthcare & Social Assistance 2.7% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | Median: $80,000
7
Finance & Insurance 1.9% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: Aqr Capital Management, LLC | Median: $140,000
5
Unspecified / Blank 0.4% Sector Share
Top Sponsor: Institute For China-America Studies | Median: $60,000
1

Noticing a difference in dates? Salary metrics reflect real-time DOL filings, while approval metrics rely on finalized USCIS historical data. View timelines

Top Sponsoring Employers

A detailed ledger of the companies hiring Research Associates.
Sponsoring EmployerMarket Share iLCA CountMedian SalaryVs National Avg i
Northwestern University8.5%22$72,147Market Rate
Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania8.1%21$76,000+6.3% Avg
Harvard University4.7%12$82,834+15.8% Avg
The University Of Virginia4.3%11$63,500-11.2% Avg
Michigan State University3.9%10$62,700-12.3% Avg
The University Of Texas At Austin3.9%10$79,500+11.2% Avg
Weill Cornell Medical College3.1%8$77,357+8.2% Avg
Johns Hopkins University2.7%7$68,000-4.9% Avg
Mayo Clinic2.7%7$91,204+27.5% Avg
Cornell University2.3%6$69,740-2.5% Avg
Oregon State University1.9%5$66,667-6.8% Avg
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill1.9%5$69,000-3.5% Avg
University Of Maryland Baltimore1.9%5$81,510+14.0% Avg
Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLC1.6%4$71,916Market Rate
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center1.6%4$80,000+11.9% Avg
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University1.6%4$64,026-10.5% Avg
University Of Utah1.6%4$85,550+19.6% Avg
Leland Stanford Jr. Univ/Slac National Accelerator Lab1.6%4$80,000+11.9% Avg
The University Of Texas At Dallas1.6%4$60,548-15.3% Avg
Indiana University1.6%4$58,661-18.0% Avg
Brookhaven National Laboratory1.6%4$86,616+21.1% Avg
The University Of Southern California1.2%3$53,269-25.5% Avg
Boston College1.2%3$112,000+56.6% Avg
Baruch S. Blumberg Institute1.2%3$53,000-25.9% Avg
University Of Pittsburgh1.2%3$65,000-9.1% Avg
Texas A&M University1.2%3$50,352-29.6% Avg
University Of Oregon1.2%3$89,332+24.9% Avg
Case Western Reserve University0.8%2$60,813-15.0% Avg
Fermi Research Alliance, LLC0.8%2$65,000-9.1% Avg
Beckman Research Institute Of The City Of Hope0.8%2$76,227+6.6% Avg
University Of Colorado Denver / Anschutz0.8%2$62,462-12.7% Avg
Ut Southwestern Medical Center0.8%2$57,341-19.8% Avg
Van Andel Research Institute0.8%2$61,966-13.3% Avg
University Of South Florida0.8%2$77,500+8.4% Avg
University Of Cincinnati0.8%2$68,433-4.3% Avg
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute0.8%2$62,400-12.7% Avg
Wayne State University0.8%2$64,334-10.0% Avg
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station0.8%2$51,792-27.6% Avg
The Children'S Hospital Of Philadelphia0.8%2$70,023-2.1% Avg
Nyu Grossman School Of Medicine0.8%2$64,302-10.1% Avg
Purdue University0.8%2$77,931+9.0% Avg
North Carolina State University0.8%2$62,058-13.2% Avg
Chapman University0.4%1$78,125+9.2% Avg
Jefferies LLC0.4%1$140,000+95.8% Avg
Institute For Women'S Policy Research0.4%1$70,000-2.1% Avg
Institute For China-America Studies0.4%1$60,000-16.1% Avg
Florida Institute For Human And Machine Cognition0.4%1$59,535-16.7% Avg
Georgetown University0.4%1$61,918-13.4% Avg
College Of Menominee Nation0.4%1$68,661-4.0% Avg
Duquesne University0.4%1$83,200+16.3% Avg
Dupage Medical Technology, Inc.0.4%1$117,998+65.0% Avg
Clemson University0.4%1$95,951+34.2% Avg
Drexel University0.4%1$66,581-6.9% Avg
Aqr Capital Management, LLC0.4%1$200,000+179.7% Avg
Albany Medical College0.4%1$70,503-1.4% Avg

Top Worksite Cities

A granular breakdown of compensation across different US geographic markets.
Worksite CityStateTalent Density iMedian SalaryTop Premium Payer i
PhiladelphiaPA9.3%$75,356$76,000
New YorkNY7.8%$80,000$160,000
EvanstonIL4.7%$71,466Market Rate
BaltimoreMD4.7%$74,928$81,510
CharlottesvilleVA4.3%$63,500Market Rate
ChicagoIL4.3%$72,761$117,998
East LansingMI3.9%$62,700Market Rate
AustinTX3.5%$80,000Market Rate
BataviaIL2.7%$66,706$77,126
CambridgeMA2.3%$72,659Market Rate
BostonMA2.3%$93,180$100,693
Chapel HillNC1.9%$69,000Market Rate
IthacaNY1.9%$69,740Market Rate
CorvallisOR1.6%$66,670Market Rate
PittsburghPA1.6%$65,000$83,200
Menlo ParkCA1.6%$80,000Market Rate
BloomingtonIN1.6%$58,661Market Rate
BlacksburgVA1.6%$64,026Market Rate
UptonNY1.6%$86,616Market Rate
RichardsonTX1.6%$60,548Market Rate
Salt Lake CityUT1.6%$85,550Market Rate
Los AngelesCA1.2%$53,269Market Rate
AuroraCO1.2%$58,000$62,462
Chestnut HillMA1.2%$112,000Market Rate
WashingtonDC1.2%$70,000$102,622
RochesterMN1.2%$91,204Market Rate
DoylestownPA1.2%$53,000Market Rate
Grand RapidsMI0.8%$61,966Market Rate
DetroitMI0.8%$64,334Market Rate
ClevelandOH0.8%$60,813Market Rate
JacksonvilleFL0.8%$84,582Market Rate
GainesvilleFL0.8%$89,332Market Rate
TroyNY0.8%$62,400Market Rate
West LafayetteIN0.8%$77,931Market Rate
TampaFL0.8%$77,500Market Rate
RaleighNC0.8%$62,058Market Rate
DuarteCA0.8%$76,227Market Rate
DallasTX0.8%$57,341Market Rate
HoustonTX0.8%$63,526$76,249
ClemsonSC0.4%$95,951N/A
CincinnatiOH0.4%$59,740N/A
BurlingtonVT0.4%$70,000N/A
BoulderCO0.4%$90,476N/A
AlbanyNY0.4%$70,503N/A
AugustaGA0.4%$42,765N/A
ColumbiaSC0.4%$60,000N/A
College StationTX0.4%$50,352N/A
FreemontCA0.4%$51,792N/A
FremontCA0.4%$51,792N/A
GalvestonTX0.4%$40,503N/A
District Of ColumbiaDC0.4%$60,000N/A
EugeneOR0.4%$78,438N/A
ColumbusOH0.4%$50,732N/A
LubbockTX0.4%$82,888N/A
LouisvilleKY0.4%$61,008N/A

Historical Compensation Averages

Year-over-year salary data comparing historical averages.
Fiscal YearYoY Growth iMaximumMedianAverageMinimum
2026In Progress$200,000$70,503$71,800$24.00/hr
2025+4.1%$309,000$70,000$70,416$17.00/hr
2024+3.4%$309,000$67,211$68,449$17.00/hr
2023+3.9%$485,000$65,000$65,464$15.00/hr
2022+4.3%$307,000$62,551$62,909$18.00/hr
2021+2.3%$300,000$60,000$60,589$15.00/hr
2020+4.9%$251,100$58,642$59,090$16.00/hr
2019+3.2%$425,000$55,910$58,331$15.00/hr
2018+4.5%$165,006$54,184$57,723$15.00/hr
2017+3.7%$160,000$51,834$54,369$11.00/hr
2016N/A$224,300$50,000$52,738$13.00/hr

Live LCA Filing Ledger (FY 2026)

Raw, unedited federal disclosures showing individual labor applications filed.
Decision DateEmployerLocationBase PayWage LevelStatus
Dec 30, 2025Harvard UniversityPalo Alto, CA$104,104Level IICertified
Dec 30, 2025Tufts UniversityBoston, MA$70,000Level ICertified
Dec 30, 2025Dupage Medical Technology, Inc.Chicago, IL$117,998Level IVCertified
Dec 29, 2025Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD$68,400Level ICertified
Dec 29, 2025Bay Area Environmental Research InstituteMoffett Field, CA$91,520Level ICertified
Dec 29, 2025The University Of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA$53,269Level ICertified
Dec 29, 2025The University Of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA$74,000Level ICertified
Dec 29, 2025Ut Southwestern Medical CenterDallas, TX$48,682Level ICertified
Dec 29, 2025Trustees Of The University Of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$78,000Level ICertified
Dec 29, 2025The University Of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA$63,500Level ICertified
Dec 29, 2025North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC$62,115Level ICertified
Dec 29, 2025University Of Maryland BaltimoreBaltimore, MD$135,000Level IIICertified
Dec 26, 2025Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL$73,678Level IIICertified
Dec 26, 2025Trustees Of The University Of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$101,046Level IVCertified
Dec 26, 2025Brookhaven National LaboratoryUpton, NY$77,250Level ICertified
Dec 24, 2025Trustees Of The University Of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$81,995Level ICertified
Dec 24, 2025Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL$72,761Level IIICertified
Dec 24, 2025Northwestern UniversityChicago, IL$71,532Level ICertified
Dec 24, 2025Bor Usga Obo Augusta UniversityAugusta, GA$42,765Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 23, 2025Institute For Women'S Policy ResearchWashington, DC$70,000Level ICertified
Dec 23, 2025The University Of IowaIowa City, IA$71,512Level ICertified
Dec 23, 2025Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA$74,318Level ICertified
Dec 23, 2025Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA$72,805Level IICertified
Dec 23, 2025Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew York, NY$82,192Level IICertified
Dec 22, 2025Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, NY$80,000Level IICertified
Dec 22, 2025Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR$70,896N/ACertified
Dec 22, 2025Oregon State UniversityMadison, WI$55,848N/ACertified
Dec 19, 2025Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY$68,445Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 19, 2025University Of Maryland BaltimoreBaltimore, MD$80,563Level ICertified
Dec 19, 2025The University Of Texas At AustinPort Aransas, TX$76,814Level IIICertified
Dec 19, 2025University Of South CarolinaColumbia, SC$60,000Level ICertified
Dec 19, 2025University Of North Carolina At Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC$72,000Level IICertified
Dec 18, 2025Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew York, NY$65,749Level ICertified
Dec 18, 2025North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC$62,000Level IICertified
Dec 18, 2025Trustees Of The University Of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$74,672Level IICertified
Dec 18, 2025Mayo ClinicJacksonville, FL$77,961Level IIICertified
Dec 17, 2025Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLCBatavia, IL$77,126Level ICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 17, 2025Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLCBatavia, IL$77,126Level ICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 17, 2025Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL$83,366Level IIICertified
Dec 17, 2025Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL$67,933Level ICertified
Dec 17, 2025University Of Texas Medical BranchGalveston, TX$40,503Level ICertified
Dec 17, 2025Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL$61,008Level ICertified
Dec 17, 2025Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI$72,301Level IIICertified
Dec 17, 2025Leland Stanford Jr. Univ/Slac National Accelerator LabMenlo Park, CA$80,000Level ICertified
Dec 16, 2025Trustees Of The University Of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$92,000Level ICertified
Dec 16, 2025Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew York, NY$83,628Level IICertified
Dec 16, 2025Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew York, NY$74,714Level IICertified
Dec 16, 2025Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA$83,200Level ICertified
Dec 16, 2025The University Of Texas El PasoEl Paso, TX$64,987Level IICertified
Dec 16, 2025Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA$112,000Level IICertified
Dec 16, 2025Florida Institute For Human And Machine CognitionPensacola, FL$59,535Level ICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 16, 2025Harvard UniversityBoston, MA$103,000Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 16, 2025Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA$97,812Level IICertified - Withdrawn
Dec 15, 2025University Of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI$65,000Level ICertified
Dec 12, 2025Trustees Of The University Of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$83,970Level IVCertified

Role Specific Intelligence (FAQ)

Common questions and insights about the Research Associate role.

Which company sponsors the most H-1B visas for Research Associate roles?
Currently, Northwestern University holds the top spot for hiring in this category, generating 22 approved LCAs.

Do employers sponsor permanent residency for Research Associate roles?
Yes, organizations generated 7 recent Green Card sponsorships for this field, processing these workers as long-term staff.

How much do Research Associate professionals make on an H-1B visa?
The national median salary for Research Associate professionals is $71,512. Entry-level positions typically start around $67,626.