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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

H-1B Visa Jobs in San Mateo, CA

San Mateo, CA has 7,393 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in San Mateo, CA is $157,579, which is 25% higher than the national H-1B median of $126,302. The largest H-1B sponsor in San Mateo, CA is ROBLOX.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 161 certified LCAs in San Mateo, 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 remains active
260
FY 2020
155
FY 2021
228
FY 2022
208
FY 2023
124
FY 2024
199
FY 2025
161
FY 2026
Certified H-1B LCAs in Q1 (Oct–Dec) of each fiscal year for San Mateo, CA: FY 2020: 260; FY 2021: 155; FY 2022: 228; FY 2023: 208; FY 2024: 124; FY 2025: 199; FY 2026: 161;

Employers filed 161 certified H-1B LCAs for San Mateo, 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 196 certified filings per Q1 for this market, so FY 2026 Q1 came in 18% below historical norms.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (199 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for San Mateo, CA is down 19%. The 6-year Q1 range for this market runs from 124 (low) to 260 (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 San Mateo, CA.

7,393
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$157,579
Median Salary
+25% vs national
15
Employers
Sponsoring H-1B
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis for San Mateo, CA

Salary Percentiles

  • 10th percentile: $99,486
  • 25th percentile: $125,486
  • Median: $157,579
  • 75th percentile: $198,578
  • 90th percentile: $245,000

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 859 (12%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 2,299 (33%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 1,811 (26%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 2,097 (30%)

Market Insights

  • Top employer: ROBLOX
  • Market share: 13%
  • Salary range: $35,339 - $594,650

Salary Visualizations

Salary Distribution in San Mateo, 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 Mateo, CA

Rank Employer H-1B Filings Median Salary
1 ROBLOX 988 $243,290
2 SNOWFLAKE 449 $174,872
3 GUIDEWIRE SOFTWARE 322 $147,839
4 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT 258 $157,147
5 VERKADA 164 $160,000
6 IQVIA 145 $110,000
7 FANATICS RETAIL GROUP FULFILLMENT 135 $145,246
8 EY 116 $150,000
9 VERKADA 116 $160,000
10 EBATES PERFORMANCE MARKETING 110 $152,801
11 IXL LEARNING 104 $138,000
12 SKYDIO 99 $190,000
13 COUPA SOFTWARE 84 $160,000
14 SNAPLOGIC 75 $145,000
15 APTTUS 73 $150,000

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

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 984 $150,000
Senior Software Engineer 926 $194,000
Data Scientist 151 $157,000
Senior Product Manager 123 $180,000
Principal Software Engineer 109 $300,000
Product Manager 105 $152,000
Senior Data Scientist 97 $190,000
Consultant 96 $124,800
Staff Software Engineer 93 $183,310
Engineering Manager 89 $201,968
Architect 85 $157,000
Software Developer 81 $122,000
Data Engineer 75 $126,277
Accountant 67 $110,966
Senior Machine Learning Engineer 62 $227,370

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary in San Mateo, CA is $157,579, based on 7,393 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 25% higher than the national H-1B median of $126,302.

Salaries span a $145,514 range from the 10th percentile ($99,486) to the 90th percentile ($245,000). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in San Mateo, CA earn between $125,486 and $198,578. DOL wage-level breakdown: most filings are classified as Level II (qualified), with 88% at Level II or above.

ROBLOX is the largest H-1B sponsor in San Mateo, CA, with 988 certified filings (13% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $243,290. The pay spread across top employers is 121%.

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

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

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

The median H-1B salary in San Mateo, CA is $157,579, based on 7,393 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 25% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $126,302. H-1B salaries in San Mateo, 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
$99,486
25th percentile
$125,486
Median
$157,579
75th percentile
$198,578
90th percentile
$245,000

H-1B salaries in San Mateo, CA range from $99,486 at the 10th percentile to $245,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $145,514 spread. The 25th percentile is $125,486 and the 75th percentile is $198,578.

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

San Mateo, 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 Mateo, 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 Mateo, CA:

ROBLOX
$243,290
SNOWFLAKE
$174,872
VERKADA
$160,000

ROBLOX is the largest H-1B sponsor in San Mateo, CA with 988 filings at a median salary of $243,290. SNOWFLAKE follows with 449 filings.

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

San Mateo, CA has 7,393 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 Mateo, 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 Mateo, CA include .

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

San Mateo, CA's median H-1B salary of $157,579 is 25% higher 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. San Mateo, 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 Mateo
$157,579
National
$126,302
+25% above national median

San Mateo, CA is one of the higher-paying markets for H-1B workers, reflecting its high cost of living and demand for skilled talent.

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

The 90th percentile H-1B salary in San Mateo, CA is $245,000, 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
$99,486
25th
$125,486
Median
$157,579
75th
$198,578
90th
$245,000

The top 10% of H-1B workers in San Mateo, CA earn $245,000 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $99,486 or less. This $145,514 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.