Backend Developer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 90 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Backend Developer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $162,200. That's 35% higher than the national Backend Developer H-1B median of $120,000 across all U.S. locations, and 5% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Backend Developer ranks #83 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Backend Developer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,656 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Backend Developer hiring.
Backend Developer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $79,069 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $132,870 and $180,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Backend Developers land. The median of $162,200 sits 35% higher than the national Backend Developer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,931
- 25th percentile
- $132,870
- Median
- $162,200
- 75th percentile
- $180,000
- 90th percentile
- $200,000
Top Employers Hiring Backend Developers in San Francisco, CA
UBER is the largest H-1B sponsor for Backend Developer in San Francisco, CA, with 8 certified filings (9% of local Backend Developer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $173,400. Among the top sponsors, CHIME FINANCIAL pays the highest median at $181,000. The pay spread across top employers is 54%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 54% ($117,770 at UNITY TECHNOLOGIES SF to $181,000 at CHIME FINANCIAL)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UBER | 8 | $173,400 |
| UNITY TECHNOLOGIES SF | 4 | $117,770 |
| SMUGMUG | 4 | $145,246 |
| CHIME FINANCIAL | 4 | $181,000 |
| STRIPE | 4 | $125,215 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Backend Developer 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 Backend Developer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Backend Developer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Backend Developer is an active H-1B role. San Jose, CA has the most filings (82) outside San Francisco, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 82 | $157,477 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 81 | $120,578 |
| Bellevue, WA | 71 | $122,000 |
| New York, NY | 67 | $145,000 |
| Austin, TX | 60 | $120,000 |
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-Backend Developer 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 Backend Developer in San Francisco, CA is $162,200, based on 90 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 35% higher than the national Backend Developer H-1B median of $120,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 5% higher than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $79,069 range from the 10th percentile ($120,931) to the 90th percentile ($200,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $132,870 and $180,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UBER is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 8 certified filings at a median salary of $173,400. Among the top employers, CHIME FINANCIAL pays the highest median at $181,000. The pay spread across top employers is 54%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Backend Developer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 90 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 Backend Developer salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Backend Developer positions in San Francisco, CA is $162,200, based on 90 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,931
- 25th percentile
- $132,870
- Median
- $162,200
- 75th percentile
- $180,000
- 90th percentile
- $200,000
The salary distribution for Backend Developer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,931, while the 90th percentile earns $200,000. This $79,069 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Backend Developer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 24% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Backend Developers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Backend Developer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Backend Developer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. UBER leads with 8 filings at a median salary of $173,400. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $117,770 to $181,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Backend Developer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Backend Developer 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, 90 H-1B positions for Backend Developers 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.