H-1B Visa Jobs in Foster City, CA
Foster City, CA has 6,734 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in Foster City, CA is $137,000, which is 5% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541. The largest H-1B sponsor in Foster City, CA is GILEAD SCIENCES.
FY 2026 Q1: 165 certified LCAs in Foster City, CA
Certifications dated Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 — the first full quarter after the $100K H-1B fee took effect on September 21, 2025.
Employers filed 165 certified H-1B LCAs for Foster City, CA 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 198 certified filings per Q1 for this market, so FY 2026 Q1 came in 17% below historical norms.
Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (181 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for Foster City, CA is down 9%. The 6-year Q1 range for this market runs from 131 (low) to 261 (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 Foster City, CA.
Salary Analysis for Foster City, CA
Salary Percentiles
- 10th percentile: $98,000
- 25th percentile: $115,253
- Median: $137,000
- 75th percentile: $162,386
- 90th percentile: $190,000
Wage Level Distribution
- Level I (Entry): 512 (8%)
- Level II (Qualified): 2,394 (39%)
- Level III (Experienced): 1,572 (26%)
- Level IV (Expert): 1,595 (26%)
Market Insights
- Top employer: GILEAD SCIENCES
- Market share: 14%
- Salary range: $45,427 - $432,400
Salary Visualizations
Salary Distribution in Foster City, CA
Distribution of H-1B salaries across all employers
Wage Level Distribution
H-1B positions by DOL wage level
Top H-1B Employers in Foster City, CA
| Rank | Employer | H-1B Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GILEAD SCIENCES | 948 | $130,960 |
| 2 | VISA U.S.A. | 856 | $138,445 |
| 3 | ZOOX | 802 | $147,368 |
| 4 | VISA TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONS | 770 | $142,300 |
| 5 | ZOOX | 295 | $167,125 |
| 6 | QUALYS | 290 | $135,000 |
| 7 | CYBERSOURCE | 258 | $129,513 |
| 8 | COGNIZANT | 204 | $118,331 |
| 9 | ILLUMINA | 105 | $145,246 |
| 10 | EXABEAM | 81 | $160,000 |
| 11 | QUINSTREET | 70 | $145,205 |
| 12 | IBM | 58 | $120,931 |
| 13 | HCL | 56 | $123,300 |
| 14 | INDEED | 48 | $187,741 |
| 15 | ACCENTURE | 43 | $118,331 |
H-1B Salary by Job Title in Foster City, CA
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 506 | $148,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 474 | $145,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 304 | $147,368 |
| Director | 143 | $164,600 |
| Research Scientist | 139 | $127,878 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 136 | $113,277 |
| Senior Data Scientist | 123 | $139,235 |
| Data Scientist | 115 | $121,600 |
| QA Engineer | 113 | $122,699 |
| Software Developer | 105 | $120,932 |
| Senior Product Manager | 89 | $158,080 |
| Senior Data Engineer | 87 | $138,362 |
| Program Manager | 77 | $151,882 |
| Validation Engineer | 75 | $100,000 |
| Product Manager | 68 | $138,500 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary in Foster City, CA is $137,000, based on 6,734 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 5% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541.
Salaries span a $92,000 range from the 10th percentile ($98,000) to the 90th percentile ($190,000). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in Foster City, CA earn between $115,253 and $162,386. DOL wage-level breakdown: most filings are classified as Level II (qualified), with 92% at Level II or above.
GILEAD SCIENCES is the largest H-1B sponsor in Foster City, CA, with 948 certified filings (14% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $130,960. Among the top sponsors, INDEED pays the highest median at $187,741. The pay spread across top employers is 59%.
The most common H-1B roles filed from Foster City, CA are Software Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, Staff Software Engineer. Per-role salary data is available on the intersection pages linked above.
Frequently Asked Questions about H-1B Jobs in Foster City, CA
What is the average H-1B salary in Foster City, CA?
The median H-1B salary in Foster City, CA is $137,000, based on 6,734 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 5% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $130,541. H-1B salaries in Foster City, CA 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
- $98,000
- 25th percentile
- $115,253
- Median
- $137,000
- 75th percentile
- $162,386
- 90th percentile
- $190,000
H-1B salaries in Foster City, CA range from $98,000 at the 10th percentile to $190,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $92,000 spread. The 25th percentile is $115,253 and the 75th percentile is $162,386.
Which companies sponsor H-1B visas in Foster City, CA?
Foster City, CA 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 Foster City, CA 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 Foster City, CA:
GILEAD SCIENCES is the largest H-1B sponsor in Foster City, CA with 948 filings at a median salary of $130,960. VISA U.S.A. follows with 856 filings.
How many H-1B jobs are in Foster City, CA?
Foster City, CA has 6,734 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 Foster City, CA 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 Foster City, CA include .
How does Foster City, CA compare to other cities for H-1B jobs?
Foster City, CA's median H-1B salary of $137,000 is 5% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541. 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. Foster City, CA'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.
Foster City, CA offers above-average H-1B compensation compared to the national median.
What is the highest H-1B salary in Foster City, CA?
The 90th percentile H-1B salary in Foster City, CA is $190,000, 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.
The top 10% of H-1B workers in Foster City, CA earn $190,000 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $98,000 or less. This $92,000 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.