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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

H-1B Visa Jobs in Irvine, CA

Irvine, CA has 18,107 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in Irvine, CA is $114,754, which is 9% lower than the national H-1B median of $126,302. The largest H-1B sponsor in Irvine, CA is AMAZON.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 347 certified LCAs in Irvine, CA

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
457
FY 2020
371
FY 2021
511
FY 2022
468
FY 2023
461
FY 2024
444
FY 2025
347
FY 2026
Certified H-1B LCAs in Q1 (Oct–Dec) of each fiscal year for Irvine, CA: FY 2020: 457; FY 2021: 371; FY 2022: 511; FY 2023: 468; FY 2024: 461; FY 2025: 444; FY 2026: 347;

Employers filed 347 certified H-1B LCAs for Irvine, 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 452 certified filings per Q1 for this market, so FY 2026 Q1 came in 23% below historical norms.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (444 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for Irvine, CA is down 22%. The 6-year Q1 range for this market runs from 371 (low) to 511 (peak in FY 2022).

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 Irvine, CA.

18,107
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$114,754
Median Salary
-9% vs national
15
Employers
Sponsoring H-1B
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis for Irvine, CA

Salary Percentiles

  • 10th percentile: $72,100
  • 25th percentile: $90,000
  • Median: $114,754
  • 75th percentile: $144,300
  • 90th percentile: $172,600

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 3,065 (18%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 7,166 (42%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 3,952 (23%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 2,900 (17%)

Market Insights

  • Top employer: AMAZON
  • Market share: 6%
  • Salary range: $31,200 - $930,000

Salary Visualizations

Salary Distribution in Irvine, CA

Distribution of H-1B salaries across all employers

Wage Level Distribution

H-1B positions by DOL wage level

Top H-1B Employers in Irvine, CA

Rank Employer H-1B Filings Median Salary
1 AMAZON 1,024 $144,400
2 RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE 1,007 $144,465
3 INFOSYS 590 $86,403
4 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE 529 $79,881
5 EY 365 $130,000
6 INGRAM MICRO 312 $130,957
7 GOOGLE 294 $151,000
8 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES 275 $124,987
9 BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT 274 $130,000
10 CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES GLOBAL 218 $160,920
11 COGNIZANT 206 $105,373
12 SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS 203 $130,000
13 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES 185 $129,472
14 TATA 173 $89,731
15 JAMES R. GLIDEWELL DENTAL CERAMICS 168 $116,000

H-1B Salary by Job Title in Irvine, CA

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 987 $125,000
Software Developer 754 $102,544
Senior Software Engineer 405 $143,134
Software Engineer II 319 $145,856
Accountant 303 $80,000
Architect 290 $109,782
Project Manager 227 $102,000
Software Engineer I 207 $123,000
Consultant 197 $91,790
Research Scientist 189 $80,800
Business Analyst 180 $91,791
QA Engineer 161 $93,610
Systems Engineer 159 $100,256
Assistant Professor 137 $115,000
Systems Analyst 131 $98,324

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary in Irvine, CA is $114,754, based on 18,107 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 9% lower than the national H-1B median of $126,302.

Salaries span a $100,500 range from the 10th percentile ($72,100) to the 90th percentile ($172,600). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in Irvine, CA earn between $90,000 and $144,300. DOL wage-level breakdown: most filings are classified as Level II (qualified), with 82% at Level II or above.

AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor in Irvine, CA, with 1,024 certified filings (6% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $144,400. Among the top sponsors, CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES GLOBAL pays the highest median at $160,920. The pay spread across top employers is 101%.

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

Frequently Asked Questions about H-1B Jobs in Irvine, CA

What is the average H-1B salary in Irvine, CA?

The median H-1B salary in Irvine, CA is $114,754, based on 18,107 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 9% lower than the national H-1B median salary of $126,302. H-1B salaries in Irvine, 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
$72,100
25th percentile
$90,000
Median
$114,754
75th percentile
$144,300
90th percentile
$172,600

H-1B salaries in Irvine, CA range from $72,100 at the 10th percentile to $172,600 at the 90th percentile, showing a $100,500 spread. The 25th percentile is $90,000 and the 75th percentile is $144,300.

Which companies sponsor H-1B visas in Irvine, CA?

Irvine, 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 Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA:

AMAZON
$144,400
INFOSYS
$86,403
EY
$130,000

AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor in Irvine, CA with 1,024 filings at a median salary of $144,400. RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE follows with 1,007 filings.

How many H-1B jobs are in Irvine, CA?

Irvine, CA has 18,107 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 Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA include .

How does Irvine, CA compare to other cities for H-1B jobs?

Irvine, CA's median H-1B salary of $114,754 is 9% lower than the national H-1B median of $126,302. 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. Irvine, 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.

vs National H-1B Median
Irvine
$114,754
National
$126,302
-9% below national median

Irvine, CA's H-1B salaries are competitive with national averages.

What is the highest H-1B salary in Irvine, CA?

The 90th percentile H-1B salary in Irvine, CA is $172,600, 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
$72,100
25th
$90,000
Median
$114,754
75th
$144,300
90th
$172,600

The top 10% of H-1B workers in Irvine, CA earn $172,600 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $72,100 or less. This $100,500 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.