Question 1

What is the median H-1B salary at Merck Sharp & Dohme?

Accepted Answer

Merck Sharp & Dohme pays a median H-1B salary of $114,700 for sponsored positions, with an average of $119,878. The average prevailing wage across Merck Sharp & Dohme's filings is $103,319. These figures are based on Labor Condition Application filings with the Department of Labor.

Question 2

What is a prevailing wage determination?

Accepted Answer

A prevailing wage determination (PWD) is a wage rate set by the Department of Labor for a specific occupation and geographic area. Before filing an LCA, employers request a PWD from the DOL, which surveys wage data to determine what workers in similar roles are typically paid in that location. H-1B employers must pay at least the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to other employees in the same role, whichever is higher. The prevailing wage column in the table above shows the DOL-determined floor for each position.

Question 3

How does Merck Sharp & Dohme pay compared to the prevailing wage?

Accepted Answer

Merck Sharp & Dohme's average offered wage is $119,878, compared to an average prevailing wage of $103,319 across its filings. When a company pays above the prevailing wage, it indicates the offered salary exceeds the DOL-determined market rate for the occupation and area. The salary table above shows both the offered and prevailing wages for each individual filing.

Question 4

What are H-1B wage levels I through IV?

Accepted Answer

The DOL sets prevailing wages at four levels: Level I (Entry) at the 17th percentile, Level II (Qualified) at the 34th percentile, Level III (Experienced) at the 50th percentile, and Level IV (Expert) at the 67th percentile. These levels reflect the complexity of the job duties and experience required. The prevailing wage is specific to each occupation (SOC code) and metropolitan statistical area. Higher wage levels indicate more senior positions.

Question 5

What is the H-1B salary requirement?

Accepted Answer

There is no single minimum salary for H-1B visas. Employers must pay the higher of the actual wage (what they pay other employees in the same role) or the prevailing wage determined by the DOL for the specific occupation and geographic area. The prevailing wage varies by job, location, and wage level. A Level I software engineer in a small metro area will have a very different floor than a Level IV software engineer in San Francisco or New York.

Job Title	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Senior Scientist, Statistical Programming	41	$76,378	$111,400	$128,898
Associate Principal Scientist, Statistical Programming	36	$109,762	$136,219	$167,232
Senior Scientist, Biostatistics	25	$76,378	$107,600	$142,771
Associate Principal Scientist, Biostatistics	19	$74,797	$136,219	$142,771
Associate Scientist, Post Doc Fellow	16	$68,400	$74,745	$87,838
Senior Scientist, Analytical R&D	16	$107,600	$111,400	$134,763
Senior Specialist, Data Science	15	$102,482	$122,800	$151,819
Senior Scientist, Preclinical Development	15	$111,400	$114,700	$119,787
Senior Scientist, Chemistry	14	$86,091	$114,700	$115,648
Associate Principal Scientist, Analytical R&D	12	$122,800	$135,500	$161,221
Associate Principal Scientist, Outcomes Research	11	$130,900	$135,500	$205,067
Sr. Scientist, Chemistry	11	$107,600	$114,000	$128,535
Sr. Scientist, Biostatistics	9	$108,000	$111,400	$114,700
Associate Director, Data Science	9	$132,184	$153,800	$170,373
Specialist, Engineering	7	$58,198	$59,301	$85,600
Scientist, Statistical Programming	7	$88,480	$91,600	$94,300
Senior Scientist Biostatistics	6	$92,435	$92,435	$92,435
Senior Specialist, Software Engineering	6	$111,400	$125,688	$151,819
Associate Director, Technical Product Management	6	$135,500	$142,667	$161,467
Senior Scientist, Engineering	5	$85,758	$107,600	$124,363

Location	Positions	Min	Median	Max
Rahway, New Jersey	251	$56,971	$114,700	$359,800
North Wales, Pennsylvania	111	$59,301	$119,496	$196,539
West Point, Pennsylvania	85	$58,198	$111,400	$181,600
Kenilworth, New Jersey	19	$56,971	$97,680	$193,440
Boston, Massachusetts	11	$58,885	$81,307	$157,643
Elkton, Virginia	7	$87,880	$107,600	$126,942
Cambridge, Massachusetts	6	$108,181	$126,941	$131,082
Branchburg, New Jersey	5	$91,349	$124,030	$153,837
Durham, North Carolina	4	$64,043	$90,279	$111,400
Austin, Texas	4	$98,904	$115,200	$139,464

Merck Sharp & Dohme — H-1B Sponsored Salaries

Merck Sharp & Dohme H1B Salaries

Salary Distribution (2025)

Salary by Job Title (2025)

Salary by Location (2025)

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