H-1B Data Scientist Salary in California (2024)
Prevailing wages, top employers, and LCA data for H-1B data scientists in California.
Key Notes for California
SOC Code Split
Data Scientists are filed under SOC 15-2051. Some employers file DS roles under 15-1221 (Computer and Information Research Scientists) for senior positions, which carries a higher prevailing wage floor.
Consumer Tech Dominance
Meta, Google, Netflix, and Airbnb account for a large share of California DS H-1B filings. Product analytics, recommendation systems, and ML-adjacent roles dominate.
PhD Premium
Senior DS roles at California tech companies frequently require or prefer PhDs. OPT STEM extension (3 years) gives PhD candidates extra time before H-1B.
AI/ML Overlap
The line between Data Scientist and ML Engineer is blurring. Many California DS H-1B petitions include ML model development in the job description.
Top H-1B Employers
- Meta
- Apple
- Netflix
- Airbnb
- Lyft
- Uber
- Stripe
- Twitter/X
Top Cities in California
- San Francisco
- Mountain View
- Menlo Park
- San Jose
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Sunnyvale
- Palo Alto
- Irvine
- Santa Monica
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prevailing wage for H-1B data scientists in California?
DOL prevailing wages for Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) in San Francisco MSA range from ~$100K (Level I) to ~$175K (Level IV). Median LCA wage is approximately $138,000.
Which California companies sponsor the most H-1B data scientists?
Google, Meta, and Apple lead in volume. Netflix and Airbnb sponsor fewer but at premium wages (Level III–IV). LinkedIn is a significant employer of DS H-1B holders in the Bay Area.
Is a PhD required to get H-1B sponsorship as a data scientist in California?
No, but it helps at top-tier employers. Most California DS H-1B petitions specify a Master's degree as the minimum. PhD holders have better access to Level IV positions and senior researcher roles.
How does data scientist H-1B salary in California compare to ML engineer?
ML engineers in California have higher median LCA wages (~$148K vs. $138K) due to higher demand and more specialized skill requirements. Senior IC roles in both fields converge at $175K+.
Find H-1B Data Scientist Jobs in California
Browse verified H-1B sponsor job listings for data scientist roles in California.
Search Data Scientist Jobs in CA