Data Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 549 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Data Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $150,000. That's 43% higher than the national Data Engineer H-1B median of $105,227 across all U.S. locations, and 4% lower than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $156,959. Data Engineer ranks #18 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Data Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #471 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Data Engineer hiring.
Data Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $100,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $124,500 and $177,625, the interquartile range where most experienced Data Engineers land. The median of $150,000 sits 43% higher than the national Data Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $105,000
- 25th percentile
- $124,500
- Median
- $150,000
- 75th percentile
- $177,625
- 90th percentile
- $205,000
Top Employers Hiring Data Engineers in San Francisco, CA
META is the largest H-1B sponsor for Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 16 certified filings (3% of local Data Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $181,882. Among the top sponsors, NOTION LABS pays the highest median at $210,000. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 24% ($170,000 at AIRBNB to $210,000 at NOTION LABS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| META | 16 | $181,882 |
| ASANA | 15 | $182,000 |
| AIRBNB | 14 | $170,000 |
| JPMORGAN CHASE | 12 | $177,000 |
| NOTION LABS | 11 | $210,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Data 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 Data Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Data Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Data Engineer is an active H-1B role. Irving, TX has the most filings (1,249) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $182,583. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Irving, TX | 1,249 | $99,000 |
| New York, NY | 1,200 | $129,500 |
| Plano, TX | 1,147 | $98,550 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,012 | $182,583 |
| Austin, TX | 776 | $114,754 |
| Charlotte, NC | 711 | $106,974 |
| Chicago, IL | 609 | $102,690 |
| Seattle, WA | 559 | $150,000 |
| Houston, TX | 531 | $93,600 |
| Dallas, TX | 513 | $98,904 |
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-Data Engineer role here (13,951 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $212,472.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,951 | $167,710 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 5,106 | $180,960 |
| Data Scientist | 1,623 | $151,882 |
| Product Manager | 1,588 | $165,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,125 | $165,000 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,118 | $212,472 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,099 | $210,000 |
| Accountant | 1,052 | $108,500 |
| Consultant | 1,010 | $120,994 |
| Associate | 908 | $140,900 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $150,000, based on 549 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 43% higher than the national Data Engineer H-1B median of $105,227 across all U.S. locations. It is also 4% lower than the overall H-1B median of $156,959 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $100,000 range from the 10th percentile ($105,000) to the 90th percentile ($205,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $124,500 and $177,625, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
META is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 16 certified filings at a median salary of $181,882. Among the top employers, NOTION LABS pays the highest median at $210,000. The pay spread across top employers is 24%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Data Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 549 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 Data Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Data Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $150,000, based on 549 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $105,000
- 25th percentile
- $124,500
- Median
- $150,000
- 75th percentile
- $177,625
- 90th percentile
- $205,000
The salary distribution for Data Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $105,000, while the 90th percentile earns $205,000. This $100,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Data Engineer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 19% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Data Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Data Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Data Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. META leads with 16 filings at a median salary of $181,882. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $170,000 to $210,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Data 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, 549 H-1B positions for Data 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.