Chemical Engineer H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 84 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Chemical Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA, with a median salary of $140,764. That's 42% higher than the national Chemical Engineer H-1B median of $98,925 across all U.S. locations, and 11% lower than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $157,477. Chemical Engineer ranks #83 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for Chemical Engineer H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,047 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Chemical Engineer hiring.
Chemical Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $76,276 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $125,778 and $166,481, the interquartile range where most experienced Chemical Engineers land. The median of $140,764 sits 42% higher than the national Chemical Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $110,000
- 25th percentile
- $125,778
- Median
- $140,764
- 75th percentile
- $166,481
- 90th percentile
- $186,276
Top Employers Hiring Chemical Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA
APPLIED MATERIALS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Chemical Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA, with 31 certified filings (37% of local Chemical Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $147,070. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $215,000. The pay spread across top employers is 95%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 95% ($110,000 at CEPHEID to $215,000 at META)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| APPLIED MATERIALS | 31 | $147,070 |
| APPLIED MATERIALS | 24 | $155,000 |
| CEPHEID | 8 | $110,000 |
| META | 5 | $215,000 |
| APPLIED MATERIAL | 2 | $131,370 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Chemical Engineer 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 Sunnyvale, CA, which tells you whether Chemical Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Chemical Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Chemical Engineer is an active H-1B role. Hillsboro, OR has the most filings (3,050) outside Sunnyvale, CA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $134,514. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro, OR | 3,050 | $103,334 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 458 | $134,514 |
| Fremont, CA | 367 | $120,000 |
| Rio Rancho, NM | 353 | $101,774 |
| Chandler, AZ | 349 | $97,677 |
| Houston, TX | 127 | $97,000 |
| Boise, ID | 95 | $96,000 |
| Tualatin, OR | 89 | $112,757 |
| Normal, IL | 82 | $90,500 |
| Manassas, VA | 81 | $91,000 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Sunnyvale, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sunnyvale, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Chemical Engineer role here (16,285 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $184,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 16,285 | $168,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,575 | $160,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,146 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,701 | $175,800 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,661 | $142,800 |
| Program Manager | 1,248 | $161,000 |
| Software Developer | 974 | $120,931 |
| Software Engineer I | 697 | $143,200 |
| Project Manager | 689 | $139,443 |
| QA Engineer | 678 | $134,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Chemical Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $140,764, based on 84 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 42% higher than the national Chemical Engineer H-1B median of $98,925 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% lower than the overall H-1B median of $157,477 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $76,276 range from the 10th percentile ($110,000) to the 90th percentile ($186,276). The middle 50% of workers earn between $125,778 and $166,481, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
APPLIED MATERIALS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 31 certified filings at a median salary of $147,070. Among the top employers, META pays the highest median at $215,000. The pay spread across top employers is 95%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Chemical Engineer H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 84 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 Chemical Engineer salary in Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Chemical Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $140,764, based on 84 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $110,000
- 25th percentile
- $125,778
- Median
- $140,764
- 75th percentile
- $166,481
- 90th percentile
- $186,276
The salary distribution for Chemical Engineer roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $110,000, while the 90th percentile earns $186,276. This $76,276 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Chemical Engineer salaries in Sunnyvale, CA are 8% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Chemical Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Chemical Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Chemical Engineer roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. APPLIED MATERIALS leads with 31 filings at a median salary of $147,070. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $110,000 to $215,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Chemical Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Chemical Engineer in Sunnyvale, 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, 84 H-1B positions for Chemical Engineers in Sunnyvale, 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.