H-1B Visa Jobs in Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA has 81,921 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in Seattle, WA is $142,000, which is 9% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541. The largest H-1B sponsor in Seattle, WA is AMAZON.
FY 2026 Q1: 2,242 certified LCAs in Seattle, WA
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 2,242 certified H-1B LCAs for Seattle, WA 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 2,678 certified filings per Q1 for this market, so FY 2026 Q1 came in 16% below historical norms.
Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (2,738 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for Seattle, WA is down 18%. The 6-year Q1 range for this market runs from 2,064 (low) to 3,466 (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 Seattle, WA.
Salary Analysis for Seattle, WA
Salary Percentiles
- 10th percentile: $92,186
- 25th percentile: $117,100
- Median: $142,000
- 75th percentile: $165,000
- 90th percentile: $195,000
Wage Level Distribution
- Level I (Entry): 14,234 (18%)
- Level II (Qualified): 33,780 (44%)
- Level III (Experienced): 18,787 (24%)
- Level IV (Expert): 10,527 (14%)
Market Insights
- Top employer: AMAZON
- Market share: 50%
- Salary range: $22,500 - $960,000
Salary Visualizations
Salary Distribution in Seattle, WA
Distribution of H-1B salaries across all employers
Wage Level Distribution
H-1B positions by DOL wage level
Top H-1B Employers in Seattle, WA
| Rank | Employer | H-1B Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMAZON | 41,278 | $141,000 |
| 2 | META | 3,254 | $177,000 |
| 3 | 2,626 | $155,000 | |
| 4 | EXPEDIA | 1,809 | $137,150 |
| 5 | APPLE | 1,402 | $180,000 |
| 6 | NORDSTROM | 1,190 | $143,064 |
| 7 | AMAZON DATA SERVICES | 1,156 | $137,259 |
| 8 | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | 939 | $80,004 |
| 9 | STARBUCKS COFFEE | 871 | $147,906 |
| 10 | EY | 866 | $125,000 |
| 11 | ZILLOW | 845 | $156,060 |
| 12 | DELOITTE | 747 | $118,879 |
| 13 | UBER | 679 | $178,900 |
| 14 | SALESFORCE | 485 | $160,000 |
| 15 | DOORDASH | 485 | $188,000 |
H-1B Salary by Job Title in Seattle, WA
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,911 | $158,500 |
| Software Engineer II | 7,913 | $150,000 |
| Software Engineer I | 5,155 | $125,000 |
| Product Manager III | 2,174 | $149,500 |
| Software Engineer III | 2,094 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,998 | $176,000 |
| Program Manager III | 1,470 | $147,630 |
| Manager Iii, Software Development | 1,311 | $184,900 |
| Business Intelligence Engineer II | 1,191 | $120,000 |
| Program Manager II | 1,170 | $119,600 |
| Research Scientist II | 1,087 | $157,000 |
| Data Engineer II | 962 | $139,506 |
| Software Dev Engineer I | 936 | $129,000 |
| Consultant | 910 | $115,000 |
| Software Dev Engineer II | 889 | $165,900 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary in Seattle, WA is $142,000, based on 81,921 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 9% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541.
Salaries span a $102,814 range from the 10th percentile ($92,186) to the 90th percentile ($195,000). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in Seattle, WA earn between $117,100 and $165,000. 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 Seattle, WA, with 41,278 certified filings (50% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $141,000. Among the top sponsors, DOORDASH pays the highest median at $188,000. The pay spread across top employers is 135%.
The most common H-1B roles filed from Seattle, WA are Software Engineer, Software Engineer II, Software Engineer I. Per-role salary data is available on the intersection pages linked above.
Frequently Asked Questions about H-1B Jobs in Seattle, WA
What is the average H-1B salary in Seattle, WA?
The median H-1B salary in Seattle, WA is $142,000, based on 81,921 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 9% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $130,541. H-1B salaries in Seattle, WA 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
- $92,186
- 25th percentile
- $117,100
- Median
- $142,000
- 75th percentile
- $165,000
- 90th percentile
- $195,000
H-1B salaries in Seattle, WA range from $92,186 at the 10th percentile to $195,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $102,814 spread. The 25th percentile is $117,100 and the 75th percentile is $165,000.
Which companies sponsor H-1B visas in Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA:
AMAZON is the largest H-1B sponsor in Seattle, WA with 41,278 filings at a median salary of $141,000. META follows with 3,254 filings.
How many H-1B jobs are in Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA has 81,921 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 Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA include .
How does Seattle, WA compare to other cities for H-1B jobs?
Seattle, WA's median H-1B salary of $142,000 is 9% 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. Seattle, WA'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.
Seattle, WA offers above-average H-1B compensation compared to the national median.
What is the highest H-1B salary in Seattle, WA?
The 90th percentile H-1B salary in Seattle, WA is $195,000, 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.
The top 10% of H-1B workers in Seattle, WA earn $195,000 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $92,186 or less. This $102,814 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.