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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

H-1B Visa Jobs in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC has 42,097 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in Charlotte, NC is $107,453, which is 18% lower than the national H-1B median of $130,707. The largest H-1B sponsor in Charlotte, NC is COGNIZANT.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 1,083 certified LCAs in Charlotte, NC

Certifications dated Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 — the first full quarter after the $100K H-1B fee took effect on September 21, 2025.

Market remains active
1,942
FY 2020
1,026
FY 2021
1,277
FY 2022
1,228
FY 2023
1,103
FY 2024
1,342
FY 2025
1,083
FY 2026
Certified H-1B LCAs in Q1 (Oct–Dec) of each fiscal year for Charlotte, NC: FY 2020: 1,942; FY 2021: 1,026; FY 2022: 1,277; FY 2023: 1,228; FY 2024: 1,103; FY 2025: 1,342; FY 2026: 1,083;

Employers filed 1,083 certified H-1B LCAs for Charlotte, NC in FY 2026 Q1 — the first quarter after the $100K H-1B fee took effect on September 21, 2025. The 6-year Q1 baseline (FY 2020–2025) averages 1,320 certified filings per Q1 for this market, so FY 2026 Q1 came in 18% below historical norms.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (1,342 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for Charlotte, NC is down 19%. The 6-year Q1 range for this market runs from 1,026 (low) to 1,942 (peak in FY 2020).

These counts reflect DOL LCA certifications with decision_date in Oct–Dec for each fiscal year. LCAs do not distinguish fee-exposed new-hire petitions from extensions, transfers, and change-of-status petitions that are exempt from the $100K fee, so a soft FY 2026 Q1 number does not necessarily mean fewer H-1B workers are in Charlotte, NC.

42,097
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$107,453
Median Salary
-18% vs national
15
Employers
Sponsoring H-1B
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis for Charlotte, NC

Salary Percentiles

  • 10th percentile: $79,810
  • 25th percentile: $89,918
  • Median: $107,453
  • 75th percentile: $128,420
  • 90th percentile: $150,000

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 3,304 (8%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 19,856 (49%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 10,566 (26%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 6,708 (17%)

Market Insights

  • Top employer: COGNIZANT
  • Market share: 7%
  • Salary range: $28,080 - $840,000

Salary Visualizations

Salary Distribution in Charlotte, NC

Distribution of H-1B salaries across all employers

Wage Level Distribution

H-1B positions by DOL wage level

Top H-1B Employers in Charlotte, NC

Rank Employer H-1B Filings Median Salary
1 COGNIZANT 2,968 $96,158
2 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A 1,642 $123,677
3 LOWE'S COMPANIES 1,597 $128,232
4 BANK OF AMERICA N.A 1,571 $139,027
5 EY 1,399 $137,700
6 INFOSYS 1,353 $86,798
7 TATA 1,221 $81,266
8 SYNECHRON 854 $100,000
9 RANDSTAD TECHNOLOGIES 831 $120,000
10 SYNECHRON 735 $110,000
11 CAPGEMINI 665 $104,770
12 ACCENTURE 663 $104,042
13 DELOITTE 643 $123,300
14 MICROSOFT 522 $130,000
15 COMPUNNEL 402 $98,500

H-1B Salary by Job Title in Charlotte, NC

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Developer 3,960 $101,109
Software Engineer 3,103 $112,424
Senior Software Engineer 1,918 $128,232
Architect 1,328 $96,000
Senior Software Developer 1,152 $120,000
Manager 865 $99,861
Senior Systems Analyst 707 $80,766
Lead Software Engineer 675 $134,347
Systems Analyst 643 $98,030
Data Engineer 638 $106,974
Consultant 572 $90,010
Java Developer 452 $92,830
Project Manager 418 $100,000
Manager - Computer Systems Engineers/Architects 396 $104,520
Business Analyst 370 $92,394

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary in Charlotte, NC is $107,453, based on 42,097 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 18% lower than the national H-1B median of $130,707.

Salaries span a $70,190 range from the 10th percentile ($79,810) to the 90th percentile ($150,000). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in Charlotte, NC earn between $89,918 and $128,420. DOL wage-level breakdown: most filings are classified as Level II (qualified), with 92% at Level II or above.

COGNIZANT is the largest H-1B sponsor in Charlotte, NC, with 2,968 certified filings (7% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $96,158. Among the top sponsors, BANK OF AMERICA N.A pays the highest median at $139,027. The pay spread across top employers is 71%.

The most common H-1B roles filed from Charlotte, NC are Software Developer, Software Engineer, Senior Software Engineer. Per-role salary data is available on the intersection pages linked above.

Frequently Asked Questions about H-1B Jobs in Charlotte, NC

What is the average H-1B salary in Charlotte, NC?

The median H-1B salary in Charlotte, NC is $107,453, based on 42,097 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 18% lower than the national H-1B median salary of $130,707. H-1B salaries in Charlotte, NC reflect the local cost of living, industry mix, and prevailing wage requirements set by the Department of Labor. The DOL determines minimum wage levels for each occupation and geographic area, ensuring H-1B workers are paid competitively with local labor markets. These salary figures represent base compensation in LCA filings and typically don't include bonuses, stock options, or other benefits.

10th percentile
$79,810
25th percentile
$89,918
Median
$107,453
75th percentile
$128,420
90th percentile
$150,000

H-1B salaries in Charlotte, NC range from $79,810 at the 10th percentile to $150,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $70,190 spread. The 25th percentile is $89,918 and the 75th percentile is $128,420.

Which companies sponsor H-1B visas in Charlotte, NC?

Charlotte, NC has 15+ employers actively sponsoring H-1B visas, ranging from large technology companies to consulting firms, healthcare organizations, and financial institutions. H-1B sponsorship patterns in Charlotte, NC reflect the local economy and industry presence. Major employers sponsor multiple positions across various job functions, while smaller companies may sponsor selectively for specialized roles. When evaluating potential sponsors, consider their sponsorship volume, salary offerings, approval rates, and career growth opportunities.

Top H-1B sponsors in Charlotte, NC:

COGNIZANT
$96,158
LOWE'S COMPANIES
$128,232
EY
$137,700

COGNIZANT is the largest H-1B sponsor in Charlotte, NC with 2,968 filings at a median salary of $96,158. WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A follows with 1,642 filings.

How many H-1B jobs are in Charlotte, NC?

Charlotte, NC has 42,097 certified H-1B labor condition applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026 across 15+ employers. These LCA filings represent H-1B positions that employers intend to fill, though actual hiring depends on visa lottery selection and USCIS approval. The volume of H-1B activity in Charlotte, NC indicates strong demand for skilled international workers. Job opportunities span various industries and experience levels, with most positions requiring specialty occupations that need at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field.

The most common H-1B job titles in Charlotte, NC include .

How does Charlotte, NC compare to other cities for H-1B jobs?

Charlotte, NC's median H-1B salary of $107,453 is 18% lower than the national H-1B median of $130,707. When comparing cities, consider both salary levels and cost of living. Higher salaries in major metro areas often correspond to higher housing, transportation, and everyday expenses. Charlotte, NC's H-1B market reflects its economic profile, industry presence, and competition for skilled workers. Beyond salary, job seekers should evaluate career growth opportunities, company culture, visa processing track records, and quality of life factors when choosing where to pursue H-1B employment.

vs National H-1B Median
Charlotte
$107,453
National
$130,707
-18% below national median

Charlotte, NC's H-1B salaries are below the national median, which may be offset by lower cost of living.

What is the highest H-1B salary in Charlotte, NC?

The 90th percentile H-1B salary in Charlotte, NC is $150,000, representing the top tier of H-1B compensation in this market. These high-end salaries typically go to senior engineers, specialized researchers, executives, and professionals with rare expertise. Factors influencing top-tier compensation include years of experience, advanced degrees, specialized skills, and negotiating leverage. Note that H-1B salary data represents base wages filed in LCA applications and may not reflect total compensation including bonuses, stock grants, and benefits that can significantly increase earnings.

Salary Percentiles
10th
$79,810
25th
$89,918
Median
$107,453
75th
$128,420
90th
$150,000

The top 10% of H-1B workers in Charlotte, NC earn $150,000 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $79,810 or less. This $70,190 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.