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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

H-1B Visa Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA

Sunnyvale, CA has 59,915 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in Sunnyvale, CA is $157,269, which is 20% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541. The largest H-1B sponsor in Sunnyvale, CA is GOOGLE.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 1,429 certified LCAs in Sunnyvale, 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
2,040
FY 2020
1,296
FY 2021
2,122
FY 2022
1,907
FY 2023
1,636
FY 2024
1,995
FY 2025
1,429
FY 2026
Certified H-1B LCAs in Q1 (Oct–Dec) of each fiscal year for Sunnyvale, CA: FY 2020: 2,040; FY 2021: 1,296; FY 2022: 2,122; FY 2023: 1,907; FY 2024: 1,636; FY 2025: 1,995; FY 2026: 1,429;

Employers filed 1,429 certified H-1B LCAs for Sunnyvale, 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 1,833 certified filings per Q1 for this market, so FY 2026 Q1 came in 22% below historical norms.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (1,995 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for Sunnyvale, CA is down 28%. The 6-year Q1 range for this market runs from 1,296 (low) to 2,122 (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 Sunnyvale, CA.

59,915
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$157,269
Median Salary
+20% vs national
15
Employers
Sponsoring H-1B
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis for Sunnyvale, CA

Salary Percentiles

  • 10th percentile: $110,926
  • 25th percentile: $132,579
  • Median: $157,269
  • 75th percentile: $183,000
  • 90th percentile: $209,720

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 4,474 (9%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 22,326 (46%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 14,714 (31%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 6,592 (14%)

Market Insights

  • Top employer: GOOGLE
  • Market share: 23%
  • Salary range: $28,870 - $650,000

Salary Visualizations

Salary Distribution in Sunnyvale, CA

Distribution of H-1B salaries across all employers

Wage Level Distribution

H-1B positions by DOL wage level

Top H-1B Employers in Sunnyvale, CA

Rank Employer H-1B Filings Median Salary
1 GOOGLE 13,836 $168,000
2 AMAZON 6,936 $172,300
3 MICROSOFT 5,259 $157,477
4 WALMART 5,222 $153,301
5 APPLE 3,990 $179,394
6 META 1,724 $199,920
7 INFOSYS 1,649 $125,000
8 JUNIPER NETWORKS 1,334 $141,378
9 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS 1,107 $144,414
10 UBER 835 $187,800
11 TATA 749 $115,814
12 FORTINET 732 $148,021
13 OATH HOLDINGS 521 $159,348
14 COGNIZANT 495 $122,990
15 HCL 471 $131,000

H-1B Salary by Job Title in Sunnyvale, CA

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 15,458 $167,000
Senior Software Engineer 4,316 $159,370
Staff Software Engineer 2,039 $184,080
Software Engineer II 1,651 $176,000
Software Engineer III 1,612 $142,391
Program Manager 1,215 $161,000
Software Developer 943 $120,600
Project Manager 681 $137,363
Software Engineer I 680 $142,400
QA Engineer 655 $133,718
Data Scientist 575 $145,000
Consultant 570 $121,000
Architect 537 $142,438
Product Manager 510 $177,000
Senior Data Scientist 499 $168,154

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary in Sunnyvale, CA is $157,269, based on 59,915 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 20% higher than the national H-1B median of $130,541.

Salaries span a $98,794 range from the 10th percentile ($110,926) to the 90th percentile ($209,720). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in Sunnyvale, CA earn between $132,579 and $183,000. DOL wage-level breakdown: most filings are classified as Level II (qualified), with 91% at Level II or above.

GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor in Sunnyvale, CA, with 13,836 certified filings (23% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $168,000. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $199,920. The pay spread across top employers is 73%.

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

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

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

The median H-1B salary in Sunnyvale, CA is $157,269, based on 59,915 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 20% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $130,541. H-1B salaries in Sunnyvale, 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
$110,926
25th percentile
$132,579
Median
$157,269
75th percentile
$183,000
90th percentile
$209,720

H-1B salaries in Sunnyvale, CA range from $110,926 at the 10th percentile to $209,720 at the 90th percentile, showing a $98,794 spread. The 25th percentile is $132,579 and the 75th percentile is $183,000.

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

Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, CA:

GOOGLE
$168,000
AMAZON
$172,300
MICROSOFT
$157,477
WALMART
$153,301
APPLE
$179,394

GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor in Sunnyvale, CA with 13,836 filings at a median salary of $168,000. AMAZON follows with 6,936 filings.

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

Sunnyvale, CA has 59,915 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 Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, CA include .

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

Sunnyvale, CA's median H-1B salary of $157,269 is 20% 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. Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
$157,269
National
$130,541
+20% above national median

Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, CA?

The 90th percentile H-1B salary in Sunnyvale, CA is $209,720, 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
$110,926
25th
$132,579
Median
$157,269
75th
$183,000
90th
$209,720

The top 10% of H-1B workers in Sunnyvale, CA earn $209,720 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $110,926 or less. This $98,794 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.