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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

H-1B Visa Jobs in Houston, TX

Houston, TX has 48,562 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in Houston, TX is $95,000, which is 27% lower than the national H-1B median of $130,541. The largest H-1B sponsor in Houston, TX is EY.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 929 certified LCAs in Houston, TX

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

Market softened — below baseline
1,553
FY 2020
1,000
FY 2021
1,373
FY 2022
1,193
FY 2023
1,287
FY 2024
1,376
FY 2025
929
FY 2026
Certified H-1B LCAs in Q1 (Oct–Dec) of each fiscal year for Houston, TX: FY 2020: 1,553; FY 2021: 1,000; FY 2022: 1,373; FY 2023: 1,193; FY 2024: 1,287; FY 2025: 1,376; FY 2026: 929;

Employers filed 929 certified H-1B LCAs for Houston, TX 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 1,297 certified filings per Q1 for this market, so FY 2026 Q1 came in 28% below historical norms.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (1,376 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for Houston, TX is down 32%. The 6-year Q1 range for this market runs from 1,000 (low) to 1,553 (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 Houston, TX.

48,562
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$95,000
Median Salary
-27% vs national
15
Employers
Sponsoring H-1B
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis for Houston, TX

Salary Percentiles

  • 10th percentile: $65,000
  • 25th percentile: $79,000
  • Median: $95,000
  • 75th percentile: $121,763
  • 90th percentile: $152,485

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 9,681 (21%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 21,902 (48%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 7,886 (17%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 6,084 (13%)

Market Insights

  • Top employer: EY
  • Market share: 3%
  • Salary range: $20,571 - $1,000,000

Salary Visualizations

Salary Distribution in Houston, TX

Distribution of H-1B salaries across all employers

Wage Level Distribution

H-1B positions by DOL wage level

Top H-1B Employers in Houston, TX

Rank Employer H-1B Filings Median Salary
1 EY 1,474 $115,000
2 INFOSYS 1,440 $85,634
3 DELOITTE 1,040 $128,500
4 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER 935 $71,616
5 BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 915 $63,000
6 ACCENTURE 711 $117,100
7 LTIMINDTREE 693 $94,557
8 CAPGEMINI 594 $109,970
9 TATA 554 $74,402
10 JPMORGAN CHASE 549 $132,000
11 COGNIZANT 519 $104,166
12 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON 497 $78,311
13 W.M. RICE UNIVERSITY 484 $68,500
14 MPHASIS 476 $90,000
15 AMAZON 383 $137,200

H-1B Salary by Job Title in Houston, TX

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Developer 5,041 $92,000
Software Engineer 2,318 $93,600
Consultant 1,408 $93,226
Architect 1,148 $94,598
Principal Research Associate 841 $57,456
Project Manager 803 $100,000
Accountant 786 $74,000
Assistant Professor 768 $110,000
Senior Consultant 721 $117,998
Systems Analyst 568 $95,500
Research Scientist 533 $73,950
Manager 506 $130,000
Data Engineer 475 $93,000
Senior Software Engineer 457 $120,000
Business Analyst 451 $87,838

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary in Houston, TX is $95,000, based on 48,562 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 27% lower than the national H-1B median of $130,541.

Salaries span a $87,485 range from the 10th percentile ($65,000) to the 90th percentile ($152,485). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in Houston, TX earn between $79,000 and $121,763. DOL wage-level breakdown: most filings are classified as Level II (qualified), with 79% at Level II or above.

EY is the largest H-1B sponsor in Houston, TX, with 1,474 certified filings (3% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $115,000. Among the top sponsors, AMAZON pays the highest median at $137,200. The pay spread across top employers is 118%.

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

Frequently Asked Questions about H-1B Jobs in Houston, TX

What is the average H-1B salary in Houston, TX?

The median H-1B salary in Houston, TX is $95,000, based on 48,562 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 27% lower than the national H-1B median salary of $130,541. H-1B salaries in Houston, TX 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
$65,000
25th percentile
$79,000
Median
$95,000
75th percentile
$121,763
90th percentile
$152,485

H-1B salaries in Houston, TX range from $65,000 at the 10th percentile to $152,485 at the 90th percentile, showing a $87,485 spread. The 25th percentile is $79,000 and the 75th percentile is $121,763.

Which companies sponsor H-1B visas in Houston, TX?

Houston, TX 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 Houston, TX 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 Houston, TX:

EY is the largest H-1B sponsor in Houston, TX with 1,474 filings at a median salary of $115,000. INFOSYS follows with 1,440 filings.

How many H-1B jobs are in Houston, TX?

Houston, TX has 48,562 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 Houston, TX 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 Houston, TX include .

How does Houston, TX compare to other cities for H-1B jobs?

Houston, TX's median H-1B salary of $95,000 is 27% lower 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. Houston, TX'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
Houston
$95,000
National
$130,541
-27% below national median

Houston, TX'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 Houston, TX?

The 90th percentile H-1B salary in Houston, TX is $152,485, 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
$65,000
25th
$79,000
Median
$95,000
75th
$121,763
90th
$152,485

The top 10% of H-1B workers in Houston, TX earn $152,485 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $65,000 or less. This $87,485 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.