Data Scientist H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 805 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Data Scientist positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $158,952. That's 29% higher than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $122,800 across all U.S. locations, and 9% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Data Scientist ranks #8 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Data Scientist H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #238 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Data Scientist hiring.
Data Scientist H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $130,782 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $131,000 and $190,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Data Scientists land. The median of $158,952 sits 29% higher than the national Data Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $112,568
- 25th percentile
- $131,000
- Median
- $158,952
- 75th percentile
- $190,000
- 90th percentile
- $243,350
Top Employers Hiring Data Scientists in San Jose, CA
BYTEDANCE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Data Scientist in San Jose, CA, with 112 certified filings (14% of local Data Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $225,000. The pay spread across top employers is 45%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 45% ($155,000 at PAYPAL to $225,000 at BYTEDANCE)
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Data Scientist 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 Data Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Data Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Data Scientist is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (2,453) outside San Jose, CA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $176,618. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 2,453 | $140,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,498 | $150,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,250 | $176,618 |
| Mountain View, CA | 855 | $165,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 840 | $145,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 616 | $105,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 575 | $145,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 571 | $160,000 |
| Boston, MA | 508 | $114,100 |
| Atlanta, GA | 503 | $110,000 |
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-Data Scientist role here (8,169 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 | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,544 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,299 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 918 | $167,632 |
| Software Engineer II | 842 | $133,000 |
| Accountant | 805 | $108,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 802 | $183,646 |
| Architect | 770 | $144,800 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 749 | $184,662 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist in San Jose, CA is $158,952, based on 805 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 29% higher than the national Data Scientist H-1B median of $122,800 across all U.S. locations. It is also 9% higher than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $130,782 range from the 10th percentile ($112,568) to the 90th percentile ($243,350). The middle 50% of workers earn between $131,000 and $190,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
BYTEDANCE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 112 certified filings at a median salary of $225,000. The pay spread across top employers is 45%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Data Scientist H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, answered directly from 805 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 Scientist salary in San Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Data Scientist positions in San Jose, CA is $158,952, based on 805 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $112,568
- 25th percentile
- $131,000
- Median
- $158,952
- 75th percentile
- $190,000
- 90th percentile
- $243,350
The salary distribution for Data Scientist roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $112,568, while the 90th percentile earns $243,350. This $130,782 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Data Scientist salaries in San Jose, CA are 22% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Data Scientists in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Data Scientist positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Data Scientist roles specifically in San Jose, CA. BYTEDANCE leads with 112 filings at a median salary of $225,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $155,000 to $225,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Data Scientist 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, 805 H-1B positions for Data Scientists 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.