Backend Developer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 90 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Backend Developer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $157,477. That's 31% higher than the national Backend Developer H-1B median of $120,000 across all U.S. locations, and 6% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $148,221. Backend Developer ranks #89 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Backend Developer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,785 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Backend Developer hiring.
Backend Developer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $115,686 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $130,894 and $190,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Backend Developers land. The median of $157,477 sits 31% higher than the national Backend Developer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $115,814
- 25th percentile
- $130,894
- Median
- $157,477
- 75th percentile
- $190,000
- 90th percentile
- $231,500
Top Employers Hiring Backend Developers in San Jose, CA
IBM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Backend Developer in San Jose, CA, with 32 certified filings (36% of local Backend Developer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $173,000. Among the top sponsors, BYTEDANCE pays the highest median at $205,000. The pay spread across top employers is 47%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 47% ($139,804 at ZOOM VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS to $205,000 at BYTEDANCE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| IBM | 32 | $173,000 |
| BYTEDANCE | 11 | $205,000 |
| TIKTOK | 7 | $200,000 |
| ZOOM VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS | 5 | $139,804 |
| ZOOM COMMUNICATIONS | 5 | $141,330 |
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 Jose, 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 Francisco, CA has the most filings (92) outside San Jose, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 92 | $162,493 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 81 | $120,578 |
| Bellevue, WA | 72 | $127,338 |
| New York, NY | 70 | $150,000 |
| Austin, TX | 65 | $115,000 |
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-Backend Developer role here (8,782 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 | 8,782 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,733 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,572 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,331 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 1,031 | $170,500 |
| Data Scientist | 868 | $160,193 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 868 | $184,662 |
| Software Engineer II | 863 | $133,152 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 859 | $184,080 |
| Accountant | 847 | $108,300 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Backend Developer in San Jose, CA is $157,477, based on 90 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 31% higher than the national Backend Developer H-1B median of $120,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $148,221 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $115,686 range from the 10th percentile ($115,814) to the 90th percentile ($231,500). The middle 50% of workers earn between $130,894 and $190,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
IBM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 32 certified filings at a median salary of $173,000. Among the top employers, BYTEDANCE pays the highest median at $205,000. The pay spread across top employers is 47%, 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 Jose, 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 Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Backend Developer positions in San Jose, CA is $157,477, based on 90 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $115,814
- 25th percentile
- $130,894
- Median
- $157,477
- 75th percentile
- $190,000
- 90th percentile
- $231,500
The salary distribution for Backend Developer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $115,814, while the 90th percentile earns $231,500. This $115,686 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Backend Developer salaries in San Jose, CA are 20% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Backend Developers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Backend Developer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Backend Developer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. IBM leads with 32 filings at a median salary of $173,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $139,804 to $205,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Backend Developer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Backend Developer 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, 90 H-1B positions for Backend Developers 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.