Life, Physical & Social Sciences

Biological Scientists, All Other

SOC Code: 19-1029

Explore H1B visa sponsorship data for Biological Scientists, All Other positions. View salary ranges, top employers, and geographic distribution from 5,120 H1B filings (FY2022-2025).

Total Employers

1,031 Sponsoring this role

H1B Filings

5,120 Total filings

Median Salary

$80,340 P50 across all filings

Salary Range

$57,996 - $140,029 P10 to P90

Top States for Biological Scientists, All Other

Massachusetts

1,149

California

1,059

Maryland

358

Texas

346

New York

320

Pennsylvania

199

Florida

139

Connecticut

131

Top Employers

1 The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford, Jr. University

124 filings

2 National Institutes of Health, HHS

114 filings

3 Harvard University

108 filings

4 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

107 filings

5 University of Massachusetts Medical School

104 filings

6 Zifo Technologies

98 filings

7 UT Southwestern Medical Center

87 filings

8 University of Michigan

81 filings

+ 42 more employers below

All Biological Scientists, All Other H1B Sponsors

Employer	Location	Role Filings	Avg Salary	Approval Rate
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford, Jr. University	Stanford, CA	124	$85,661	100.0%
National Institutes of Health, HHS	Bethesda, MD	114	$103,593	100.0%
Harvard University	Cambridge, MA	108	$76,558	100.0%
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute	Boston, MA	107	$76,791	100.0%
University of Massachusetts Medical School	Worcester, MA	104	$66,095	100.0%
Zifo Technologies	Lindenhurst, IL	98	$82,319	100.0%
UT Southwestern Medical Center	Dallas, TX	87	$65,505	100.0%
University of Michigan	Ann Arbor, MI	81	$63,847	100.0%
Yale University	New Haven, CT	71	$74,621	100.0%
Johns Hopkins University	Baltimore, MD	69	$70,715	100.0%
Howard Hughes Medical Institute	Chevy Chase, MD	67	$81,989	100.0%
The Broad Institute	Cambridge, MA	56	$90,625	100.0%
Children's Hospital	Boston, MA	53	$72,770	97.7%
Columbia University	New York, NY	49	$77,902	100.0%
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center	Boston, MA	47	$65,172	100.0%
Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, PA	45	$85,024	100.0%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey	New Brunswick, NJ	44	$72,742	100.0%
University of Miami	Coral Gables, FL	42	$74,916	100.0%
Emory University	Atlanta, GA	40	$76,229	100.0%
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital	Memphis, TN	40	$141,100	100.0%
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies	LA Jolla, CA	37	$82,374	100.0%
University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley, CA	37	$80,179	100.0%
University of Wisconsin System	Madison, WI	37	$63,472	100.0%
General Hospital	Boston, MA	36	$87,711	100.0%
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals	Waltham, MA	35	$130,524	100.0%
California Institute of Technology	Pasadena, CA	34	$71,534	100.0%
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia	Philadelphia, PA	33	$85,562	100.0%
University of Florida	Gainesville, FL	32	$63,622	100.0%
The University of Chicago	Chicago, IL	32	$79,167	100.0%
The University of Southern California	Los Angeles, CA	32	$80,160	100.0%
PPD Development	Austin, TX	31	$117,838	100.0%
The Ohio State University	Columbus, OH	31	$66,233	100.0%
Northwestern University	Evanston, IL	30	$75,962	100.0%
The Curators of the University of Missouri	Columbia, MO	29	$54,921	100.0%
University of California, Davis	Davis, CA	29	$74,982	100.0%
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio	San Antonio, TX	28	$58,788	100.0%
The Scripps Research Institute	LA Jolla, CA	27	$89,671	100.0%
Kelly Services	Troy, MI	27	$97,760	100.0%
NYU Grossman School of Medicine	New York, NY	26	$95,588	100.0%
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals	Tarrytown, NY	26	$134,899	100.0%
University of Connecticut Health Center	Farmington, CT	26	$65,148	100.0%
Genentech	South San Francisco, CA	26	$153,492	100.0%
University of Maryland, Baltimore	Baltimore, MD	26	$65,598	100.0%
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai	New York, NY	26	$84,645	100.0%
University of California, San Francisco	San Francisco, CA	25	$86,359	100.0%
Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research	Cambridge, MA	24	$102,905	100.0%
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center	Seattle, WA	24	$84,186	100.0%
Amgen	Thousand Oaks, CA	24	$133,094	100.0%
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston	Houston, TX	24	$100,388	100.0%
The Jackson Laboratory	Bar Harbor, ME	23	$90,817	100.0%

Related Occupations in Life, Physical & Social Sciences

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About Biological Scientists, All Other H1B Sponsorship

The classification for Biological Scientists, All Other (SOC 19-1029) represents a diverse and vital segment of the U.S. research and development landscape. Historically, this occupation has been a significant driver of international talent, with a total of 22,717 H1B filings across 2,271 different employers. This high volume of sponsorship underscores the reliance of American scientific institutions on global expertise to fuel breakthroughs in genomics, cellular biology, and environmental science. While the role is broad, it typically encompasses specialized researchers who do not fit into more traditional categories like biochemists or microbiologists. However, job seekers should be aware of shifting market dynamics. Recent data indicates a sharp year-over-year decline in H1B sponsorship for Biological Scientists, All Other, with filings dropping by 66.7% from FY2024 to FY2025. This trend suggests a tightening of the labor market or a shift in how roles are being classified. Despite this, the sheer number of employers involved—exceeding 2,200—proves that the H1B visa remains a cornerstone for staffing high-level scientific positions in both the public and private sectors.

Salary Insights

Understanding the H1B salary for Biological Scientists, All Other is essential for any international professional negotiating a contract. The median salary for this role currently stands at $56,000, a figure that often reflects the academic and non-profit nature of the organizations that most frequently sponsor these visas. While this median is modest compared to some engineering fields, the salary range is quite broad, stretching from $42,682 at the 10th percentile to $96,787 at the 90th percentile. This nearly $54,000 spread indicates that compensation is highly sensitive to experience, educational level, and geographic location. Location plays a pivotal role in determining pay benchmarks. Scientists working in biotechnology hubs in California (CA) or Massachusetts (MA) often see salaries at the higher end of the range to compensate for the cost of living and the competitive private-sector market. Conversely, roles within large research universities or government agencies might offer lower base salaries but provide robust benefits and the stability of cap-exempt H1B sponsorship. When searching for H1B sponsorship, applicants should use these salary figures to ensure their offers align with prevailing wage requirements.

Top Employers Sponsoring This Role

The landscape of H1B sponsorship for Biological Scientists, All Other is dominated by world-renowned research institutions and government entities. Leading the list of top employers are the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These organizations are instrumental in providing a pathway for international scientists to contribute to public health initiatives. Following closely are elite academic institutions such as The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford, Jr. University, Harvard University, Columbia University, and the New York University School of Medicine. These employers are particularly attractive to H1B visa seekers because many fall under the 'cap-exempt' category. This means they are not subject to the annual H1B lottery, significantly increasing a candidate's chances of securing a visa regardless of when the application is filed. These institutions are primarily located in scientific powerhouses like MD, MA, CA, and NY, providing employees with access to some of the most advanced laboratory facilities and collaborative research networks in the world.

Skills & Qualifications

To successfully secure H1B sponsorship as a Biological Scientist, All Other, candidates must demonstrate a high degree of technical proficiency and academic excellence. Employers typically look for individuals with a minimum of a Master’s degree, though a PhD is often a prerequisite for senior research positions at organizations like Harvard or Stanford. In-demand technical skills include expertise in molecular biology techniques, CRISPR gene editing, bioinformatics, and complex data modeling. Because this SOC code covers a broad range of scientific disciplines, having a niche specialization—such as immunology or stem cell research—can make a candidate more competitive. In addition to technical lab skills, soft skills are increasingly prioritized in the H1B visa selection process. Employers value scientists who can demonstrate a history of peer-reviewed publications and the ability to secure research grants. Effective communication and collaboration are essential, as most Biological Scientists, All Other work in multidisciplinary teams. Proficiency with advanced statistical software (like R or Python) and a deep understanding of regulatory compliance and safety protocols are also key qualifications that sponsors look for when justifying the hiring of an international worker.

Tips for Getting H1B Sponsorship

For those seeking an H1B visa in the Biological Scientists, All Other category, strategic planning is key, especially given the recent 66.7% decline in filing volume. Candidates should focus their job search on the top states for this occupation: California, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Texas. These regions house the highest density of biotech firms and research hospitals, providing a higher probability of finding an employer with a history of H1B sponsorship. Prioritizing 'cap-exempt' employers like the NIH or major university medical schools can also mitigate the risks associated with the annual H1B lottery. To increase your marketability, ensure your resume highlights specific technical contributions and any specialized laboratory certifications. Networking at international scientific conferences can lead to direct connections with hiring managers at top-tier institutions like Columbia University or NYU School of Medicine. Furthermore, stay informed about prevailing wage levels to ensure your H1B salary for Biological Scientists, All Other meets legal requirements. While the overall filing trend is down, the demand for high-level expertise in the life sciences remains a fundamental part of the U.S. innovation economy, offering a rewarding path for dedicated scientists.