Architect H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 757 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Architect positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $163,800. That's 64% higher than the national Architect H-1B median of $100,000 across all U.S. locations, and 6% higher than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Architect ranks #7 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Architect H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #287 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Architect hiring.
Architect H-1B Salary Range in Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $102,564 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $139,235 and $186,197, the interquartile range where most experienced Architects land. The median of $163,800 sits 64% higher than the national Architect H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,578
- 25th percentile
- $139,235
- Median
- $163,800
- 75th percentile
- $186,197
- 90th percentile
- $223,142
Top Employers Hiring Architects in Santa Clara, CA
NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for Architect in Santa Clara, CA, with 416 certified filings (55% of local Architect H-1B filings) at a median salary of $168,002. Among the top sponsors, PALO ALTO NETWORKS pays the highest median at $177,932. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 23% ($144,414 at INTEL to $177,932 at PALO ALTO NETWORKS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA | 416 | $168,002 |
| HCL | 42 | $170,914 |
| AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES | 19 | $171,008 |
| PALO ALTO NETWORKS | 17 | $177,932 |
| INTEL | 15 | $144,414 |
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 Santa Clara, 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 (3,055) outside Santa Clara, CA. The highest median among these is Alpharetta, GA at $104,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 3,055 | $83,952 |
| Irving, TX | 2,162 | $93,517 |
| Plano, TX | 1,949 | $101,192 |
| Atlanta, GA | 1,893 | $92,872 |
| Austin, TX | 1,804 | $95,850 |
| Chicago, IL | 1,375 | $90,500 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,374 | $100,000 |
| Houston, TX | 1,227 | $94,598 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,196 | $84,802 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 1,076 | $104,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Clara, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Architect role here (4,674 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Software Engineer at a median of $201,053.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 4,674 | $150,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,527 | $157,477 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,298 | $133,400 |
| Hardware Engineer | 932 | $163,778 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 898 | $179,396 |
| Software Engineer II | 841 | $179,200 |
| QA Engineer | 594 | $125,000 |
| Software Developer | 571 | $127,000 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 557 | $201,053 |
| Chemical Engineer | 490 | $135,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Architect in Santa Clara, CA is $163,800, based on 757 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 64% higher than the national Architect H-1B median of $100,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $102,564 range from the 10th percentile ($120,578) to the 90th percentile ($223,142). The middle 50% of workers earn between $139,235 and $186,197, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 416 certified filings at a median salary of $168,002. Among the top employers, PALO ALTO NETWORKS pays the highest median at $177,932. The pay spread across top employers is 23%, 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 Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 757 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Architect positions in Santa Clara, CA is $163,800, based on 757 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,578
- 25th percentile
- $139,235
- Median
- $163,800
- 75th percentile
- $186,197
- 90th percentile
- $223,142
The salary distribution for Architect roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,578, while the 90th percentile earns $223,142. This $102,564 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Architect salaries in Santa Clara, CA are 30% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Architects in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Architect positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Architect roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. NVIDIA leads with 416 filings at a median salary of $168,002. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $144,414 to $177,932.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Architect in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Architect in Santa Clara, 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, 757 H-1B positions for Architects in Santa Clara, 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.