H-1B Visa Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara, CA has 37,700 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in Santa Clara, CA is $151,468, which is 16% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541. The largest H-1B sponsor in Santa Clara, CA is NVIDIA.
FY 2026 Q1: 1,237 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.
Employers filed 1,237 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 13% above historical norms.
Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (1,469 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for Santa Clara, CA is down 16%. 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.
Salary Analysis for Santa Clara, CA
Salary Percentiles
- 10th percentile: $108,784
- 25th percentile: $126,700
- Median: $151,468
- 75th percentile: $181,000
- 90th percentile: $210,704
Wage Level Distribution
- Level I (Entry): 3,247 (12%)
- Level II (Qualified): 10,753 (38%)
- Level III (Experienced): 7,386 (26%)
- Level IV (Expert): 6,643 (24%)
Market Insights
- Top employer: NVIDIA
- Market share: 11%
- 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 | 4,144 | $175,000 |
| 2 | INTEL | 3,306 | $141,669 |
| 3 | AMAZON | 2,447 | $180,000 |
| 4 | PALO ALTO NETWORKS | 2,169 | $176,072 |
| 5 | SERVICENOW | 2,114 | $150,696 |
| 6 | QUALCOMM | 1,133 | $151,091 |
| 7 | AMD | 1,028 | $160,338 |
| 8 | MARVELL SEMICONDUCTOR | 827 | $152,000 |
| 9 | APPLE | 767 | $180,000 |
| 10 | APPLIED MATERIALS | 751 | $145,288 |
| 11 | APPLIED MATERIALS | 714 | $141,086 |
| 12 | ARISTA NETWORKS | 588 | $140,019 |
| 13 | QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 550 | $141,378 |
| 14 | PURE STORAGE | 378 | $190,000 |
| 15 | HCL | 371 | $133,432 |
H-1B Salary by Job Title in Santa Clara, CA
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 4,272 | $148,090 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,406 | $155,965 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,209 | $131,470 |
| Hardware Engineer | 858 | $162,523 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 812 | $178,198 |
| Software Engineer II | 759 | $177,800 |
| Architect | 688 | $163,966 |
| Software Developer | 546 | $126,000 |
| QA Engineer | 531 | $123,204 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 501 | $200,000 |
| Product Manager | 415 | $165,000 |
| Chemical Engineer | 412 | $133,765 |
| Research Scientist | 344 | $160,584 |
| Program Manager | 297 | $166,962 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 285 | $141,378 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary in Santa Clara, CA is $151,468, based on 37,700 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 16% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541.
Salaries span a $101,920 range from the 10th percentile ($108,784) to the 90th percentile ($210,704). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in Santa Clara, CA earn between $126,700 and $181,000. 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 4,144 certified filings (11% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $175,000. Among the top sponsors, PURE STORAGE pays the highest median at $190,000. The pay spread across top employers is 42%.
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 $151,468, based on 37,700 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 16% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $130,541. 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
- $108,784
- 25th percentile
- $126,700
- Median
- $151,468
- 75th percentile
- $181,000
- 90th percentile
- $210,704
H-1B salaries in Santa Clara, CA range from $108,784 at the 10th percentile to $210,704 at the 90th percentile, showing a $101,920 spread. The 25th percentile is $126,700 and the 75th percentile is $181,000.
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 is the largest H-1B sponsor in Santa Clara, CA with 4,144 filings at a median salary of $175,000. INTEL follows with 3,306 filings.
How many H-1B jobs are in Santa Clara, CA?
Santa Clara, CA has 37,700 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 $151,468 is 16% 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. 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.
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 $210,704, 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.
The top 10% of H-1B workers in Santa Clara, CA earn $210,704 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $108,784 or less. This $101,920 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.