Architect H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 770 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Architect positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $144,800. That's 46% higher than the national Architect H-1B median of $99,112 across all U.S. locations, and 1% lower than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Architect ranks #10 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Architect H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #253 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Architect hiring.
Architect H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $86,552 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $122,658 and $170,914, the interquartile range where most experienced Architects land. The median of $144,800 sits 46% higher than the national Architect H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $108,347
- 25th percentile
- $122,658
- Median
- $144,800
- 75th percentile
- $170,914
- 90th percentile
- $194,899
Top Employers Hiring Architects in San Jose, CA
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Architect in San Jose, CA, with 134 certified filings (17% of local Architect H-1B filings) at a median salary of $153,721. Among the top sponsors, CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS pays the highest median at $172,640. The pay spread across top employers is 32%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 32% ($131,144 at TATA to $172,640 at CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CISCO | 134 | $153,721 |
| TATA | 48 | $131,144 |
| CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS | 45 | $172,640 |
| INFOSYS | 34 | $140,442 |
| IBM | 28 | $163,615 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Architect H-1B median across every U.S. location — a measure of how local cost-of-living and market demand shift pay up or down. The second is the all-roles H-1B median in San Jose, CA, which tells you whether Architect pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Architect H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Architect is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (2,856) outside San Jose, CA. The highest median among these is Alpharetta, GA at $102,877. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 2,856 | $82,000 |
| Irving, TX | 2,068 | $92,581 |
| Plano, TX | 1,828 | $100,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | 1,784 | $92,144 |
| Austin, TX | 1,707 | $91,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 1,306 | $90,397 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,278 | $95,326 |
| Houston, TX | 1,148 | $94,598 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,138 | $82,035 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 1,021 | $102,877 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Jose, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Jose, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Architect role here (8,169 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Machine Learning Engineer at a median of $184,662.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,544 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,299 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 918 | $167,632 |
| Software Engineer II | 842 | $133,000 |
| Accountant | 805 | $108,000 |
| Data Scientist | 805 | $158,952 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 802 | $183,646 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 749 | $184,662 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Architect in San Jose, CA is $144,800, based on 770 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 46% higher than the national Architect H-1B median of $99,112 across all U.S. locations. It is also 1% lower than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $86,552 range from the 10th percentile ($108,347) to the 90th percentile ($194,899). The middle 50% of workers earn between $122,658 and $170,914, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 134 certified filings at a median salary of $153,721. Among the top employers, CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS pays the highest median at $172,640. The pay spread across top employers is 32%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Architect H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, answered directly from 770 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Every answer below cites the specific data point it's based on.
What is the average Architect salary in San Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Architect positions in San Jose, CA is $144,800, based on 770 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $108,347
- 25th percentile
- $122,658
- Median
- $144,800
- 75th percentile
- $170,914
- 90th percentile
- $194,899
The salary distribution for Architect roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $108,347, while the 90th percentile earns $194,899. This $86,552 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Architect salaries in San Jose, CA are 11% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Architects in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Architect positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Architect roles specifically in San Jose, CA. CISCO leads with 134 filings at a median salary of $153,721. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $131,144 to $172,640.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Architect in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Architect in San Jose, CA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:
- Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
- The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
- Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
- If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work
Based on our data, 770 H-1B positions for Architects in San Jose, CA have been certified, indicating strong demand for this role. The top sponsors listed above have a track record of successful H-1B sponsorship for this position.