Data Engineer H-1B Visa Salary Data
There have been 32,468 certified H-1B filings for Data Engineer positions from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median salary is $105,227, which is 17% lower than the overall H-1B median of $126,302.
Salary Distribution
Salary Range Distribution
Most Data Engineer H-1B salaries fall between $90,022 and $131,000.
Median Salary Trend
Data Engineer salaries have grown 17% from FY 2020 ($96,262) to FY 2026 ($112,923).
Top Employers & Locations
Top Employers for Data Engineer
| Employer | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| META | 1,500 | $190,000 |
| IBM | 555 | $90,750 |
| 480 | $165,330 | |
| MICROSOFT | 340 | $166,400 |
| CAREMARK | 248 | $124,900 |
| TIGER ANALYTICS | 222 | $144,000 |
| VISTA APPLIED SOLUTIONS GROUP | 206 | $98,904 |
| APPLE | 193 | $154,400 |
| EXPEDIA | 187 | $128,502 |
| FORD MOTOR | 186 | $120,649 |
Top Locations for Data Engineer
| Location | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Irving, TX (all jobs) | 1,249 | $99,000 |
| New York, NY (all jobs) | 1,200 | $129,500 |
| Plano, TX (all jobs) | 1,147 | $98,550 |
| Menlo Park, CA (all jobs) | 1,012 | $182,583 |
| Austin, TX (all jobs) | 776 | $114,754 |
| Charlotte, NC (all jobs) | 711 | $106,974 |
| Chicago, IL (all jobs) | 609 | $102,690 |
| Seattle, WA (all jobs) | 559 | $150,000 |
| San Francisco, CA (all jobs) | 549 | $150,000 |
| Houston, TX (all jobs) | 531 | $93,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Data Engineer is $105,227, based on 32,468 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 17% lower than the overall H-1B median of $126,302. Median pay has grown 17% since FY 2020 ($96,262 → $112,923).
Salaries span a $88,000 range from the 10th percentile ($80,000) to the 90th percentile ($168,000). The middle 50% of Data Engineers earn between $90,022 and $131,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, company tier, and geographic location.
META is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role, with 1,500 certified filings at a median salary of $190,000. The pay spread across top employers is 109%.
Geographically, Irving, TX has the highest concentration of Data Engineer H-1B filings (1,249) at a median of $99,000. The highest-paying metro among the top locations is Menlo Park, CA at $182,583.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Data Engineer H-1B salary?
The median H-1B salary for Data Engineer positions is $105,227, based on 32,468 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This salary is 17% lower than the overall H-1B median of $126,302. Compensation varies significantly by employer type—large tech companies typically pay $131,000 to $168,000, while consulting firms and smaller employers may offer $80,000 to $90,022. Location also impacts pay, with coastal tech hubs commanding premium salaries.
- 10th percentile
- $80,000
- 25th percentile
- $90,022
- Median
- $105,227
- 75th percentile
- $131,000
- 90th percentile
- $168,000
Salaries range from $80,000 at the 10th percentile to $168,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $88,000 spread. The 25th percentile is $90,022 and the 75th percentile is $131,000.
Which companies hire the most Data Engineers on H-1B?
H-1B sponsorship for Data Engineer positions spans various industries and employer types. The top sponsors reflect where demand for this role is highest, with compensation varying based on employer size, industry sector, and geographic location. Larger employers often have established visa sponsorship programs and immigration support.
META is the largest H-1B sponsor for Data Engineer positions with 1,500 filings at a median salary of $190,000. IBM follows with 555 filings.
Where are Data Engineer H-1B jobs located?
Data Engineer H-1B positions are concentrated in major tech hubs and metropolitan areas with strong technology ecosystems. The San Francisco Bay Area (including San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View) and Seattle-Redmond corridor dominate due to headquarters of major tech employers. New York City attracts Data Engineers across finance, media, and tech sectors. Emerging hubs like Austin, Denver, and Raleigh-Durham offer growing opportunities with lower costs of living compared to coastal cities.
Irving, TX has the highest concentration of Data Engineer H-1B filings with 1,249 positions at a median salary of $99,000. The highest-paying location is Menlo Park, CA at $182,583 median.
How have Data Engineer salaries changed over time?
Data Engineer H-1B salaries have grown by +17% from FY 2020 to FY 2026, outpacing general inflation in most years. The median rose from $96,262 to $112,923 during this period. This growth reflects increasing demand for skilled tech workers, competitive hiring among major employers, and broader salary inflation in the technology sector. The distribution has also widened, with top-tier companies offering increasingly premium compensation to attract talent, while entry-level positions have seen more modest gains.
Year-by-year breakdown:
- FY 2022: $100,000 (5,156 certified)
- FY 2023: $105,000 (4,600 certified)
- FY 2024: $103,730 (5,203 certified)
- FY 2025: $110,000 (6,042 certified)
- FY 2026: $112,923 (4,597 certified)