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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

H-1B Visa Jobs in San Jose, CA

San Jose, CA has 60,587 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in San Jose, CA is $146,307, which is 12% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541. The largest H-1B sponsor in San Jose, CA is PAYPAL.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 1,318 certified LCAs in San Jose, 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
1,700
FY 2020
1,507
FY 2021
2,115
FY 2022
1,476
FY 2023
1,363
FY 2024
1,808
FY 2025
1,318
FY 2026
Certified H-1B LCAs in Q1 (Oct–Dec) of each fiscal year for San Jose, CA: FY 2020: 1,700; FY 2021: 1,507; FY 2022: 2,115; FY 2023: 1,476; FY 2024: 1,363; FY 2025: 1,808; FY 2026: 1,318;

Employers filed 1,318 certified H-1B LCAs for San Jose, 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 1,662 certified filings per Q1 for this market, so FY 2026 Q1 came in 21% below historical norms.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (1,808 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for San Jose, CA is down 27%. The 6-year Q1 range for this market runs from 1,363 (low) to 2,115 (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 San Jose, CA.

60,587
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$146,307
Median Salary
+12% vs national
15
Employers
Sponsoring H-1B
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis for San Jose, CA

Salary Percentiles

  • 10th percentile: $100,000
  • 25th percentile: $120,578
  • Median: $146,307
  • 75th percentile: $179,839
  • 90th percentile: $210,932

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 7,359 (15%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 20,412 (42%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 10,863 (22%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 9,697 (20%)

Market Insights

  • Top employer: PAYPAL
  • Market share: 6%
  • Salary range: $31,200 - $949,349

Salary Visualizations

Salary Distribution in San Jose, CA

Distribution of H-1B salaries across all employers

Wage Level Distribution

H-1B positions by DOL wage level

Top H-1B Employers in San Jose, CA

Rank Employer H-1B Filings Median Salary
1 PAYPAL 3,797 $167,149
2 CISCO 3,134 $147,534
3 ADOBE 2,993 $170,872
4 EBAY 2,872 $174,955
5 BYTEDANCE 1,813 $210,000
6 EY 1,427 $128,000
7 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE 1,254 $165,000
8 TIKTOK 1,121 $210,933
9 DELOITTE 1,000 $119,100
10 XILINX 945 $151,232
11 CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS 917 $150,093
12 IBM 851 $154,552
13 WESTERN DIGITAL 720 $129,085
14 ZOOM VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS 671 $135,283
15 INTEL 646 $141,669

H-1B Salary by Job Title in San Jose, CA

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 8,169 $160,000
Senior Software Engineer 2,528 $175,000
Software Developer 1,544 $120,578
Software Engineer III 1,299 $155,000
Product Manager 918 $167,632
Software Engineer II 842 $133,000
Accountant 805 $108,000
Data Scientist 805 $158,952
Staff Software Engineer 802 $183,646
Architect 770 $144,800
Machine Learning Engineer 749 $184,662
Consultant 748 $110,000
QA Engineer 619 $121,000
Senior Product Manager 597 $185,920
Project Manager 533 $125,000

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary in San Jose, CA is $146,307, based on 60,587 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 12% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541.

Salaries span a $110,932 range from the 10th percentile ($100,000) to the 90th percentile ($210,932). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in San Jose, CA earn between $120,578 and $179,839. DOL wage-level breakdown: most filings are classified as Level II (qualified), with 85% at Level II or above.

PAYPAL is the largest H-1B sponsor in San Jose, CA, with 3,797 certified filings (6% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $167,149. Among the top sponsors, TIKTOK pays the highest median at $210,933. The pay spread across top employers is 77%.

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

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

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

The median H-1B salary in San Jose, CA is $146,307, based on 60,587 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 12% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $130,541. H-1B salaries in San Jose, 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
$100,000
25th percentile
$120,578
Median
$146,307
75th percentile
$179,839
90th percentile
$210,932

H-1B salaries in San Jose, CA range from $100,000 at the 10th percentile to $210,932 at the 90th percentile, showing a $110,932 spread. The 25th percentile is $120,578 and the 75th percentile is $179,839.

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

San Jose, 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 San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA:

PAYPAL
$167,149
CISCO
$147,534
ADOBE
$170,872
EBAY
$174,955
BYTEDANCE
$210,000

PAYPAL is the largest H-1B sponsor in San Jose, CA with 3,797 filings at a median salary of $167,149. CISCO follows with 3,134 filings.

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

San Jose, CA has 60,587 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 San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA include .

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

San Jose, CA's median H-1B salary of $146,307 is 12% 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. San Jose, 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
San Jose
$146,307
National
$130,541
+12% above national median

San Jose, CA offers above-average H-1B compensation compared to the national median.

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

The 90th percentile H-1B salary in San Jose, CA is $210,932, 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
$100,000
25th
$120,578
Median
$146,307
75th
$179,839
90th
$210,932

The top 10% of H-1B workers in San Jose, CA earn $210,932 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $100,000 or less. This $110,932 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.