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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q3

H-1B Visa Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA

Sunnyvale, CA has 66,395 certified H-1B filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median H-1B salary in Sunnyvale, CA is $159,000, which is 26% higher than the national H-1B median of $126,302. The largest H-1B sponsor in Sunnyvale, CA is GOOGLE.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 1,456 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
1,456
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: 1,456;

Employers filed 1,456 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 21% below historical norms.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (1,995 certified), FY 2026 Q1 for Sunnyvale, CA is down 27%. 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.

66,395
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$159,000
Median Salary
+26% vs national
15
Employers
Sponsoring H-1B
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis for Sunnyvale, CA

Salary Percentiles

  • 10th percentile: $113,000
  • 25th percentile: $134,973
  • Median: $159,000
  • 75th percentile: $185,000
  • 90th percentile: $214,032

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 4,969 (10%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 24,120 (47%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 15,260 (30%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 7,237 (14%)

Market Insights

  • Top employer: GOOGLE
  • Market share: 23%
  • Salary range: $28,870 - $998,400

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 15,598 $170,000
2 AMAZON 7,399 $173,900
3 MICROSOFT 5,843 $159,370
4 WALMART 5,770 $153,301
5 APPLE 4,642 $179,421
6 INFOSYS 1,779 $131,144
7 META 1,737 $206,000
8 JUNIPER NETWORKS 1,335 $141,378
9 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS 1,244 $145,288
10 UBER TECHNOLOGIES 993 $193,500
11 TATA 777 $115,856
12 FORTINET 753 $148,021
13 COGNIZANT 521 $124,446
14 OATH HOLDINGS 521 $159,348
15 WIPRO 479 $123,781

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

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 17,432 $168,000
Senior Software Engineer 4,872 $160,000
Staff Software Engineer 2,257 $184,080
Software Engineer III 1,745 $142,000
Software Engineer II 1,744 $175,800
Program Manager 1,303 $162,000
Software Developer 1,004 $121,000
QA Engineer 723 $135,000
Project Manager 707 $139,443
Software Engineer I 703 $144,000
Data Scientist 660 $147,900
Consultant 610 $128,000
Product Manager 572 $183,000
Senior Data Scientist 558 $168,154
Architect 555 $142,438

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary in Sunnyvale, CA is $159,000, based on 66,395 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 26% higher than the national H-1B median of $126,302.

Salaries span a $101,032 range from the 10th percentile ($113,000) to the 90th percentile ($214,032). The middle 50% of H-1B workers in Sunnyvale, CA earn between $134,973 and $185,000. DOL wage-level breakdown: most filings are classified as Level II (qualified), with 90% at Level II or above.

GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor in Sunnyvale, CA, with 15,598 certified filings (23% of the local H-1B market) at a median salary of $170,000. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $206,000. The pay spread across top employers is 78%.

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 $159,000, based on 66,395 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 26% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $126,302. 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
$113,000
25th percentile
$134,973
Median
$159,000
75th percentile
$185,000
90th percentile
$214,032

H-1B salaries in Sunnyvale, CA range from $113,000 at the 10th percentile to $214,032 at the 90th percentile, showing a $101,032 spread. The 25th percentile is $134,973 and the 75th percentile is $185,000.

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
$170,000
AMAZON
$173,900
MICROSOFT
$159,370
WALMART
$153,301
APPLE
$179,421

GOOGLE is the largest H-1B sponsor in Sunnyvale, CA with 15,598 filings at a median salary of $170,000. AMAZON follows with 7,399 filings.

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

Sunnyvale, CA has 66,395 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 $159,000 is 26% 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. 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
$159,000
National
$126,302
+26% 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 $214,032, 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
$113,000
25th
$134,973
Median
$159,000
75th
$185,000
90th
$214,032

The top 10% of H-1B workers in Sunnyvale, CA earn $214,032 or more, while the bottom 10% earn $113,000 or less. This $101,032 range reflects the diversity of roles and experience levels.