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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

H-1B Visa Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara, CA has 42,640 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in Santa Clara, CA is $155,000, which is 23% higher than the national H-1B median of $126,302. The largest H-1B sponsor in Santa Clara, CA is NVIDIA.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 1,262 certified LCAs in Santa Clara, 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
883
FY 2020
901
FY 2021
1,223
FY 2022
992
FY 2023
1,096
FY 2024
1,469
FY 2025
1,262
FY 2026
Certified H-1B LCAs in Q1 (Oct–Dec) of each fiscal year for Santa Clara, CA: FY 2020: 883; FY 2021: 901; FY 2022: 1,223; FY 2023: 992; FY 2024: 1,096; FY 2025: 1,469; FY 2026: 1,262;

Employers filed 1,262 certified H-1B LCAs for Santa Clara, 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 1,094 certified filings per Q1 for this market, so FY 2026 Q1 came in 15% above historical norms.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (1,469 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for Santa Clara, CA is down 14%. The 6-year Q1 range for this market runs from 883 (low) to 1,469 (peak in FY 2025).

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 Santa Clara, CA.

42,640
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$155,000
Median Salary
+23% vs national
15
Employers
Sponsoring H-1B
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis for Santa Clara, CA

Salary Percentiles

  • 10th percentile: $109,000
  • 25th percentile: $129,499
  • Median: $155,000
  • 75th percentile: $184,850
  • 90th percentile: $216,000

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 3,656 (12%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 11,640 (38%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 7,916 (26%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 7,457 (24%)

Market Insights

  • Top employer: NVIDIA
  • Market share: 13%
  • Salary range: $40,000 - $951,901

Salary Visualizations

Salary Distribution in Santa Clara, CA

Distribution of H-1B salaries across all employers

Wage Level Distribution

H-1B positions by DOL wage level

Top H-1B Employers in Santa Clara, CA

Rank Employer H-1B Filings Median Salary
1 NVIDIA 5,605 $177,341
2 INTEL 3,546 $142,372
3 AMAZON 2,864 $180,000
4 PALO ALTO NETWORKS 2,390 $178,198
5 SERVICENOW 2,279 $152,477
6 QUALCOMM 1,251 $151,091
7 ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES 1,112 $165,000
8 MARVELL SEMICONDUCTOR 977 $153,000
9 APPLIED MATERIALS 931 $149,199
10 APPLE 892 $180,003
11 APPLIED MATERIALS 796 $144,622
12 ARISTA NETWORKS 655 $141,025
13 QUALCOMM ATHEROS 586 $141,378
14 PURE STORAGE 394 $190,500
15 HCL 359 $137,363

H-1B Salary by Job Title in Santa Clara, CA

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 4,674 $150,000
Senior Software Engineer 1,527 $157,477
Component Design Engineer 1,298 $133,400
Hardware Engineer 932 $163,778
Staff Software Engineer 898 $179,396
Software Engineer II 841 $179,200
Architect 757 $163,800
QA Engineer 594 $125,000
Software Developer 571 $127,000
Principal Software Engineer 557 $201,053
Chemical Engineer 490 $135,000
Product Manager 462 $166,717
Research Scientist 415 $164,403
Program Manager 340 $167,382
Engineer Senior Systems Software 323 $202,733

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary in Santa Clara, CA is $155,000, based on 42,640 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 23% higher than the national H-1B median of $126,302.

Salaries span a $107,000 range from the 10th percentile ($109,000) to the 90th percentile ($216,000). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in Santa Clara, CA earn between $129,499 and $184,850. DOL wage-level breakdown: most filings are classified as Level II (qualified), with 88% at Level II or above.

NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor in Santa Clara, CA, with 5,605 certified filings (13% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $177,341. Among the top sponsors, PURE STORAGE pays the highest median at $190,500. The pay spread across top employers is 39%.

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

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

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

The median H-1B salary in Santa Clara, CA is $155,000, based on 42,640 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 23% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $126,302. H-1B salaries in Santa Clara, 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
$109,000
25th percentile
$129,499
Median
$155,000
75th percentile
$184,850
90th percentile
$216,000

H-1B salaries in Santa Clara, CA range from $109,000 at the 10th percentile to $216,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $107,000 spread. The 25th percentile is $129,499 and the 75th percentile is $184,850.

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

Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, CA:

NVIDIA
$177,341
INTEL
$142,372
AMAZON
$180,000
SERVICENOW
$152,477

NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor in Santa Clara, CA with 5,605 filings at a median salary of $177,341. INTEL follows with 3,546 filings.

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

Santa Clara, CA has 42,640 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 Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, CA include .

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

Santa Clara, CA's median H-1B salary of $155,000 is 23% 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. Santa Clara, 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
Santa Clara
$155,000
National
$126,302
+23% above national median

Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, CA?

The 90th percentile H-1B salary in Santa Clara, CA is $216,000, 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
$109,000
25th
$129,499
Median
$155,000
75th
$184,850
90th
$216,000

The top 10% of H-1B workers in Santa Clara, CA earn $216,000 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $109,000 or less. This $107,000 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.