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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

TESLA H-1B Visa Sponsorship & Salary Data

Yes, TESLA sponsors H-1B visas. In FY 2026, TESLA filed 1,033 H-1B labor condition applications (990 certified) with a median salary of $157,700. Across FY 2020–2026, TESLA has filed 10,339 total H-1B applications with 10,036 certified and a lifetime median salary of $141,000, which is 18% higher than the national H-1B median of $120,000.

Post-$100K-fee sponsorship status

FY 2026 Q1: 291 certified LCAs

Certifications dated Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2025 — the first full quarter after the $100K H-1B fee took effect on September 21, 2025.

Still actively sponsoring
100
FY 2020
159
FY 2021
207
FY 2022
199
FY 2023
174
FY 2024
411
FY 2025
291
FY 2026
Certified H-1B LCAs in Q1 (Oct–Dec) of each fiscal year for TESLA: FY 2020: 100; FY 2021: 159; FY 2022: 207; FY 2023: 199; FY 2024: 174; FY 2025: 411; FY 2026: 291;

TESLA certified 291 H-1B LCAs 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 208 certified filings per Q1, so this quarter came in 40% above the historical norm.

Compared to FY 2025 Q1 specifically (411 certified), FY 2026 Q1 is down 29%. The 6-year Q1 range runs from 100 (low) to 411 (peak in FY 2025).

These counts reflect DOL LCA certifications with decision_date in Oct–Dec — a proxy for post-fee sponsorship activity. LCAs do not distinguish cap-subject new hires (fee-exposed) from extensions, transfers, and change-of-status petitions (fee-exempt), so a drop does not cleanly translate to fewer H-1B workers at TESLA.

10,036
Certified Filings
FY 2020-2026
$141,000
Median Salary
+18% vs national
0.1%
Denial Rate
13 denied of 10,339
7
Years of Data
FY 2020-2026

Salary Analysis

Salary Range

  • 10th percentile: $102,750
  • 25th percentile: $120,000
  • Median: $141,000
  • 75th percentile: $166,978
  • 90th percentile: $195,000

Wage Level Distribution

  • Level I (Entry): 484 (7%)
  • Level II (Qualified): 2,350 (36%)
  • Level III (Experienced): 2,388 (36%)
  • Level IV (Expert): 1,351 (21%)

Trend (2020-2026)

  • Starting median: $125,000
  • Current median: $157,700
  • Growth: +26%

Salary & Hiring Visualizations

Salary Distribution

Distribution of H-1B salaries at TESLA

TESLA's H-1B salaries range from $102,750 to $195,000 (10th-90th percentile), with a median of $141,000. This is 18% above the national H-1B median.

Wage Level Distribution

DOL wage levels affect H-1B lottery priority

TESLA files 93% of H-1B positions at Level II or higher. Higher wage levels receive priority in the H-1B lottery, giving TESLA candidates a competitive advantage.

Median Salary Trend

Year-over-year salary changes

TESLA's median H-1B salary increased by +26% from FY 2020 ($125,000) to FY 2026 ($157,700). This strong growth reflects competitive compensation adjustments.

H-1B Filings by Year

Annual hiring activity through H-1B program

TESLA's H-1B filings grew by +38% from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This indicates significant expansion of their H-1B workforce.

Salary by Job Title

Top roles by filing volume, showing salary distribution

QA Engineer (279)
$114K
$137K
$143K
$50K $125K $200K $300K+

The highest-volume H-1B role at TESLA is Senior Software Engineer with 758 filings at $167,000 median salary.

Salary by Location

Salary distribution across office locations (sorted by median)

Sparks, NV (844)
$110K
Lathrop, CA (235)
$115K
Austin, TX (1,503)
$131K
Fremont, CA (3,981)
$143K
Palo Alto, CA (2,180)
$159K
$50K $125K $200K $300K+

TESLA's largest H-1B hub is Fremont, CA with 3,981 filings. The highest-paying location is Palo Alto, CA at $159,240 median.

Highest Paying H-1B Roles at TESLA

Ranked by median salary — Unlike "Salary by Job Title" above which shows the most common roles by filing volume, this section ranks all H-1B positions by their median compensation to highlight the best-paying opportunities.

These are the top 10 highest-paying H-1B job titles at TESLA, ranked by median salary. The highest-paying role is Staff Software Engineer at $200,880 median, which is 42% above the company's overall H-1B median of $141,000.

High-paying H-1B roles typically require advanced technical expertise, specialized domain knowledge, or significant leadership responsibility. Factors influencing top-tier compensation include years of experience, educational credentials (PhD, Master's degrees), rare skill combinations, and market demand for specific technologies. The salary distribution chart below each role shows how compensation varies—wider distributions indicate more salary negotiation flexibility, while narrow peaks suggest standardized pay bands. Senior and principal-level positions consistently command premium salaries due to their strategic impact and scarcity of qualified candidates.

1

Staff Software Engineer

439 H-1B filings at TESLA

$200,880
+42% vs company median
$50K $175K $300K+
2

Senior Software Engineer

758 H-1B filings at TESLA

$167,000
+18% vs company median
$50K $175K $300K+
3

Software Engineer

561 H-1B filings at TESLA

$142,649
+1% vs company median
$50K $175K $300K+
4

Senior QA Engineer

402 H-1B filings at TESLA

$137,020
-3% vs company median
$50K $175K $300K+
5

Mechanical Design Engineer

223 H-1B filings at TESLA

$120,000
-15% vs company median
$50K $175K $300K+
6

QA Engineer

279 H-1B filings at TESLA

$114,125
-19% vs company median
$50K $175K $300K+

Salary data based on 10,036 certified H-1B labor condition applications at TESLA. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, specific role requirements, and location within the company.

Highest Individual H-1B Salaries at TESLA

Actual filed salaries — These are the 10 highest individual H-1B salary filings at TESLA, representing specific positions (not aggregated medians). These may include executive, highly specialized, or senior leadership roles.

The highest H-1B salary filed at TESLA was $380,000 for a Staff Silicon Design Engineer position in Palo Alto, CA (FY2026). This is 170% higher than the company's median H-1B salary.

Top H-1B salaries often cluster in high cost-of-living metros like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle where prevailing wages are higher. However, executive and specialized roles can command premium compensation regardless of location. These filings represent the upper bound of H-1B compensation at TESLA—actual total compensation may be significantly higher when including stock grants, bonuses, and benefits. Geographic patterns in top salaries often reflect where companies locate their most senior technical talent and leadership positions.

Where are the highest-paid H-1B positions located?

Marker size indicates salary level. Click markers for details.

Rank Job Title Location Salary Level Year
1 Staff Silicon Design Engineer Palo Alto, CA $380,000 IV FY 2026
2 Staff Silicon Design Engineer Palo Alto, CA $380,000 IV FY 2026
3 Staff Silicon Design Engineer Palo Alto, CA $360,000 IV FY 2026
4 Senior Machine Learning Engineer Palo Alto, CA $316,500 III FY 2025
5 Principal Mechanical Design Engineer Pleasanton, CA $311,634 IV FY 2025
6 Principal Mechanical Design Engineer Fremont, CA $311,634 IV FY 2025
7 Software Engineer Palo Alto, CA $300,000 IV FY 2023
8 Sr. Staff Soc Validation And Bringup Engineer Palo Alto, CA $300,000 IV FY 2025
9 Staff Machine Learning Engineer Palo Alto, CA $300,000 IV FY 2025
10 Staff Machine Learning Engineer Palo Alto, CA $300,000 IV FY 2025

These represent the highest individual salary amounts filed in H-1B labor condition applications. Note: H-1B salary data reflects base compensation only and does not include stock options, RSUs, bonuses, or other benefits which can significantly increase total compensation at tech companies.

Detailed Breakdown

H-1B Job Titles at TESLA

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Senior Software Engineer 758 $167,000
Software Engineer 561 $142,649
Staff Software Engineer 439 $200,880
Senior QA Engineer 402 $137,020
QA Engineer 279 $114,125
Mechanical Design Engineer 223 $120,000

H-1B Locations for TESLA

Location Filings Median Salary
Fremont, CA 3,981 $143,275
Palo Alto, CA 2,180 $159,240
Austin, TX 1,503 $130,625
Sparks, NV 844 $110,000
Lathrop, CA 235 $115,000
San Jose, CA 135 $162,804
Buffalo, NY 104 $102,500
Sunnyvale, CA 85 $149,350
Bellevue, WA 80 $162,081
Milpitas, CA 64 $157,200

Recent H-1B Filings at TESLA

Sample of 20 recent certified H-1B labor condition applications. This represents a small fraction of TESLA's 10,036 total certified filings.

Job Title Location Salary Level Year
Senior Project Manager Hayward, CA $175,000 N/A FY 2026
Senior Data Engineer Fremont, CA $171,149 II FY 2026
Sr Analyst Fremont, CA $162,000 N/A FY 2026
QA Engineer Buffalo, NY $110,000 II FY 2026
Staff Data Engineer Fremont, CA $250,000 IV FY 2026
QA Engineer Sparks, NV $140,000 III FY 2026
Associate Mechanical Design Engineer Fremont, CA $127,000 I FY 2026
QA Engineer Brookshire, TX $130,000 III FY 2026
Software Engineer Palo Alto, CA $215,000 II FY 2026
Mgr Technical Programs Austin, TX $192,760 IV FY 2026
Senior Software Engineer Fremont, CA $186,000 II FY 2026
Systems Engineer Austin, TX $138,564 II FY 2026
Sr Manufacturing Engineer Fremont, CA $180,000 IV FY 2026
Manufacturing Engineer Sparks, NV $134,940 II FY 2026
Associate Software Applications Engineer Austin, TX $104,220 I FY 2026
Sr Manufacturing Controls Engineer Fremont, CA $159,676 III FY 2026
Sourcing Engineer Palo Alto, CA $127,000 II FY 2026
Senior QA Engineer Fremont, CA $177,436 III FY 2026
QA Engineer Sparks, NV $140,000 III FY 2026
Mgr Manufacturing Engineering Austin, TX $185,283 III FY 2026

Data source: U.S. Department of Labor LCA Disclosure Files. Showing most recent certified filings.

Frequently Asked Questions about TESLA H-1B Visas

What is the average H-1B salary at TESLA?

The median H-1B salary at TESLA is $141,000, based on 10,036 certified filings from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 18% higher than the national H-1B median salary of $120,000. Compensation at TESLA reflects their market positioning, with entry-level roles starting around $120,000 and senior positions reaching $195,000 or higher. These figures represent base salaries in LCA filings and may not include bonuses, equity grants, or other compensation common at large employers.

10th %ile Median 90th %ile
$102,750 $141,000 $195,000

Salaries at TESLA range from $102,750 at the 10th percentile to $195,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $92,250 spread across experience levels and roles. The 25th percentile is $120,000 and the 75th percentile is $166,978.

Does TESLA sponsor H-1B visas in 2026?

Yes, TESLA actively sponsors H-1B visas in FY 2026. In the most recent fiscal year (FY 2026), TESLA filed 1,033 H-1B labor condition applications with 990 certified and 2 denied, at a median salary of $157,700. Across FY 2020–2026, they have filed 10,339 total H-1B applications with 10,036 certified and a 0.1% lifetime denial rate, demonstrating ongoing commitment to hiring international talent. TESLA sponsors positions across multiple job categories and locations, making them a viable option for professionals seeking H-1B visa sponsorship.

H-1B Filing History
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

In the most recent fiscal year (FY 2026), TESLA filed 1,033 H-1B applications, with 990 certified and 2 denied. Over 7 years of data, TESLA has consistently demonstrated commitment to H-1B sponsorship.

Note: These are Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the Department of Labor, which is a prerequisite for H-1B petitions. The actual number of H-1B petitions filed with USCIS may differ.

What is TESLA's H-1B approval rate?

TESLA's LCA (Labor Condition Application) denial rate is 0.1%, with 13 out of 10,339 applications denied across all years. This translates to a 99.9% certification rate, which indicates how successfully the company prepares and files H-1B applications. A lower denial rate suggests better compliance with Department of Labor requirements, proper wage documentation, and accurate job classification. Prospective H-1B applicants should consider this approval rate alongside other factors like salary, job role, and location when evaluating TESLA as a potential H-1B sponsor.

Approval vs Denial Rate
99.9% Certified
10,036 certified 13 denied

This is an excellent approval rate, indicating TESLA has strong H-1B sponsorship practices and typically meets DOL requirements. Applicants can feel confident in the company's H-1B track record.

What jobs does TESLA sponsor for H-1B?

TESLA sponsors H-1B visas for various specialty occupation positions requiring at least a bachelor's degree. Based on 10,036 certified filings, the most commonly sponsored job titles reflect the company's primary business functions and talent needs. These positions typically require specialized knowledge in fields like technology, engineering, finance, or scientific research. Understanding which roles TESLA most frequently sponsors can help job seekers target their applications effectively.

Most common H-1B job titles at TESLA:

The most frequently sponsored role is Senior Software Engineer with 758 filings at a median salary of $167,000. This is followed by Software Engineer (561 filings) and Staff Software Engineer.

Where are TESLA's H-1B jobs located?

TESLA's H-1B positions are distributed across multiple U.S. locations, with concentration in major metropolitan areas and tech hubs. Geographic distribution often reflects company office locations, client sites, and regional market demands. Location significantly impacts H-1B salary due to varying cost of living and local wage requirements. Understanding where TESLA sponsors H-1B workers can help candidates target specific offices and negotiate appropriate compensation for each market.

Top TESLA H-1B locations:

Circle size indicates relative H-1B filing volume

The largest H-1B hub for TESLA is Fremont, CA with 3,981 filings at a median salary of $143,275. The highest-paying location is San Jose, CA at $162,804 median. Salaries range from $102,500 to $162,804 across office locations.

How have TESLA's H-1B salaries changed over time?

TESLA's median H-1B salary has increased by +26% from FY 2020 ($125,000) to FY 2026 ($157,700). Tracking salary trends over time reveals how TESLA adjusts compensation to remain competitive in the H-1B labor market. Salary growth typically reflects inflation adjustments, increased demand for specialized skills, and evolving prevailing wage requirements. These historical trends can help applicants understand future salary expectations and negotiate appropriately when considering H-1B opportunities at TESLA.

Median Salary Trend
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

Year-by-year breakdown:

  • FY 2022: $135,000 (1,231 certified)
  • FY 2023: $140,733 (1,301 certified)
  • FY 2024: $145,000 (2,075 certified)
  • FY 2025: $150,000 (2,622 certified)
  • FY 2026: $157,700 (990 certified)

This 26% growth reflects strong compensation adjustments at TESLA, keeping pace with market demands for H-1B talent.

What wage level does TESLA use for H-1B?

TESLA primarily files H-1B applications at Wage Level III, accounting for 36% of their filings. DOL wage levels range from Level I (entry-level, 17th percentile of local wages) to Level IV (expert, 67th percentile). Wage level determines both salary requirements and, under recent H-1B rules, lottery selection priority. Higher wage levels receive preference in the H-1B lottery, making TESLA's wage level distribution an important factor for prospective applicants assessing their chances of H-1B selection.

Wage Level Distribution
II
III
IV
I: 7% II: 36% III: 36% IV: 21%

With 93% of positions at Level II or higher, TESLA typically offers competitive wages above entry-level. Higher wage levels receive priority in the H-1B lottery.

How does TESLA's H-1B salary compare to other employers?

TESLA's median H-1B salary of $141,000 is 18% higher than the national H-1B median of $120,000 across all employers and industries. This comparison provides context for evaluating TESLA's competitiveness in attracting H-1B talent. Keep in mind that industry, location, and job function significantly impact salary levels. Tech companies and financial institutions typically offer higher H-1B salaries than other sectors, while salaries in major metros like San Francisco and New York exceed those in smaller markets. Compare TESLA's offerings with similar companies in your field for a more accurate assessment.

vs National H-1B Median
TESLA
$141,000
National
$120,000
+18% above national median

TESLA offers above-average H-1B compensation. Combined with their 10,036 certified filings and 0.1% denial rate, they demonstrate solid H-1B sponsorship practices.

How do new H-1B fees and rules affect TESLA's sponsorship?
Estimated H-1B Sponsorship Costs (FY 2025)
I-129 Base Filing Fee $1,655
ACWIA Fee (25+ employees) $1,500
Fraud Prevention Fee $500
Asylum Program Fee $600
H-1B Registration Fee $215
Premium Processing (optional) $2,805
Estimated Total per H-1B $4,470 - $7,275+

Recent H-1B rule changes have increased filing fees and introduced wage-level prioritization in the lottery. TESLA's higher proportion of Level III-IV positions (57%) may benefit from wage-based lottery prioritization.

With 10,036 certified filings, TESLA invests significantly in H-1B sponsorship. The company's 0.1% denial rate suggests strong compliance with H-1B requirements and documentation standards.

Note: H-1B regulations are subject to change. Fees shown are estimates based on 2024 USCIS fee schedules. Actual costs may vary based on company size, premium processing, and future rule changes.

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