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H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Attorney H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA

Employers have filed 57 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Attorney positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $190,000. That's 27% higher than the national Attorney H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations, and 23% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Attorney ranks #116 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.

Headline numbers for Attorney H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,969 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Attorney hiring.

$190,000
Median Salary
57
Certified Filings
$104,000
10th Percentile
$365,000
90th Percentile

Attorney H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA

The pay distribution for this role spans $261,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $140,000 and $260,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Attorneys land. The median of $190,000 sits 27% higher than the national Attorney H-1B median.

10th percentile
$104,000
25th percentile
$140,000
Median
$190,000
75th percentile
$260,000
90th percentile
$365,000
Middle 50% of Attorney H-1B salaries in San Francisco, CA: $140,000 to $260,000

Top Employers Hiring Attorneys in San Francisco, CA

LATHAM & WATKINS LLP is the largest H-1B sponsor for Attorney in San Francisco, CA, with 21 certified filings (37% of local Attorney H-1B filings) at a median salary of $275,000. The pay spread across top employers is 178%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 178% ($98,862 at MICHAEL B. BASSI, A LAW to $275,000 at LATHAM & WATKINS LLP)

How This Salary Compares

Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Attorney 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 Attorney pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Attorney
+27%
27% higher than the national Attorney H-1B median of $150,000.
vs. San Francisco, CA Average
+23%
23% higher than the overall H-1B median in San Francisco, CA ($154,523).

Attorney H-1B Salaries in Other Cities

The other top metros where Attorney is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (404) outside San Francisco, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
New York, NY 404 $225,000

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-Attorney 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
Associate 811 $135,000

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Attorney in San Francisco, CA is $190,000, based on 57 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 27% higher than the national Attorney H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 23% higher than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $261,000 range from the 10th percentile ($104,000) to the 90th percentile ($365,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $140,000 and $260,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

LATHAM & WATKINS LLP is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 21 certified filings at a median salary of $275,000. The pay spread across top employers is 178%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Attorney H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 57 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 Attorney salary in San Francisco, CA?

The median H-1B salary for Attorney positions in San Francisco, CA is $190,000, based on 57 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$104,000
25th percentile
$140,000
Median
$190,000
75th percentile
$260,000
90th percentile
$365,000

The salary distribution for Attorney roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $104,000, while the 90th percentile earns $365,000. This $261,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Attorney salaries in San Francisco, CA are 46% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Attorneys in San Francisco, CA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Attorney positions in San Francisco, CA are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Attorney roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. LATHAM & WATKINS LLP leads with 21 filings at a median salary of $275,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $98,862 to $275,000.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Attorney in San Francisco, CA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Attorney in San Francisco, CA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 57 H-1B positions for Attorneys 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.