Associate H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 811 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Associate positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $135,000. That's 2% higher than the national Associate H-1B median of $132,000 across all U.S. locations, and 13% lower than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Associate ranks #10 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Associate H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #235 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Associate hiring.
Associate H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $130,700 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $106,460 and $175,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Associates land. The median of $135,000 sits 2% higher than the national Associate H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $94,300
- 25th percentile
- $106,460
- Median
- $135,000
- 75th percentile
- $175,000
- 90th percentile
- $225,000
Top Employers Hiring Associates in San Francisco, CA
BLACKROCK is the largest H-1B sponsor for Associate in San Francisco, CA, with 168 certified filings (21% of local Associate H-1B filings) at a median salary of $120,931. Among the top sponsors, KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP pays the highest median at $240,000. The pay spread across top employers is 134%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 134% ($102,606 at BLACKROCK INSTITUTIONAL TRUST , N.A to $240,000 at KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| BLACKROCK | 168 | $120,931 |
| BLACKROCK INSTITUTIONAL TRUST , N.A | 57 | $102,606 |
| BLACKROCK US | 44 | $120,411 |
| GOLDMAN SACHS & | 40 | $175,000 |
| KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP | 27 | $240,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Associate 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 Francisco, CA, which tells you whether Associate pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Associate H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Associate is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (8,428) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Washington, DC at $190,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 8,428 | $150,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 691 | $110,800 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 533 | $92,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 480 | $130,800 |
| Boston, MA | 356 | $140,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | 349 | $90,000 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 348 | $134,000 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 347 | $137,000 |
| Washington, DC | 329 | $190,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 300 | $112,070 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Associate role here (12,596 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 12,596 | $165,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,749 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,498 | $150,000 |
| Product Manager | 1,449 | $163,973 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,070 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,047 | $164,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 991 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 980 | $106,000 |
| Consultant | 946 | $120,000 |
| Architect | 779 | $128,016 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Associate in San Francisco, CA is $135,000, based on 811 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 2% higher than the national Associate H-1B median of $132,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 13% lower than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $130,700 range from the 10th percentile ($94,300) to the 90th percentile ($225,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $106,460 and $175,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
BLACKROCK is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 168 certified filings at a median salary of $120,931. Among the top employers, KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP pays the highest median at $240,000. The pay spread across top employers is 134%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Associate H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 811 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 Associate salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Associate positions in San Francisco, CA is $135,000, based on 811 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $94,300
- 25th percentile
- $106,460
- Median
- $135,000
- 75th percentile
- $175,000
- 90th percentile
- $225,000
The salary distribution for Associate roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $94,300, while the 90th percentile earns $225,000. This $130,700 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Associate salaries in San Francisco, CA are 3% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Associates in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Associate positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Associate roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. BLACKROCK leads with 168 filings at a median salary of $120,931. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $102,606 to $240,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Associate in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Associate in San Francisco, 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, 811 H-1B positions for Associates in San Francisco, 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.