Civil Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 59 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Civil Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $110,000. That's 49% higher than the national Civil Engineer H-1B median of $73,600 across all U.S. locations, and 29% lower than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Civil Engineer ranks #112 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Civil Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,725 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Civil Engineer hiring.
Civil Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $77,853 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $91,000 and $132,683, the interquartile range where most experienced Civil Engineers land. The median of $110,000 sits 49% higher than the national Civil Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $77,147
- 25th percentile
- $91,000
- Median
- $110,000
- 75th percentile
- $132,683
- 90th percentile
- $155,000
Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers in San Francisco, CA
SPARK SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Civil Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 9 certified filings (15% of local Civil Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $105,000. Among the top sponsors, PACIFIC STRUCTURES pays the highest median at $159,000. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 51% ($105,000 at SPARK SERVICES to $159,000 at PACIFIC STRUCTURES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SPARK SERVICES | 9 | $105,000 |
| GCI | 5 | $149,000 |
| FONTENOY ENGINEERING | 4 | $116,438 |
| PHOENIX ELECTRIC | 4 | $110,000 |
| PACIFIC STRUCTURES | 4 | $159,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Civil 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 San Francisco, CA, which tells you whether Civil Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Civil Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Civil Engineer is an active H-1B role. Tamuning, GU has the most filings (471) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is New York, NY at $86,757. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Tamuning, GU | 471 | $57,000 |
| New York, NY | 234 | $86,757 |
| Harmon, GU | 124 | $50,000 |
| Houston, TX | 99 | $80,080 |
| Barrigada, GU | 83 | $50,045 |
| Dededo, GU | 68 | $60,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 53 | $80,184 |
| Tumon, GU | 51 | $50,045 |
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-Civil Engineer 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 Civil Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $110,000, based on 59 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 49% higher than the national Civil Engineer H-1B median of $73,600 across all U.S. locations. It is also 29% lower than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $77,853 range from the 10th percentile ($77,147) to the 90th percentile ($155,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $91,000 and $132,683, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SPARK SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 9 certified filings at a median salary of $105,000. Among the top employers, PACIFIC STRUCTURES pays the highest median at $159,000. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Civil Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 59 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 Civil Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Civil Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $110,000, based on 59 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $77,147
- 25th percentile
- $91,000
- Median
- $110,000
- 75th percentile
- $132,683
- 90th percentile
- $155,000
The salary distribution for Civil Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $77,147, while the 90th percentile earns $155,000. This $77,853 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Civil Engineer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 16% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Civil Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Civil Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Civil Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. SPARK SERVICES leads with 9 filings at a median salary of $105,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $105,000 to $159,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Civil Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Civil Engineer 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, 59 H-1B positions for Civil Engineers 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.