Designer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 195 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Designer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $77,500. That's 3% higher than the national Designer H-1B median of $75,317 across all U.S. locations, and 50% lower than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $154,523. Designer ranks #46 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Designer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,576 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Designer hiring.
Designer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $46,994 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $67,000 and $90,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Designers land. The median of $77,500 sits 3% higher than the national Designer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $61,006
- 25th percentile
- $67,000
- Median
- $77,500
- 75th percentile
- $90,000
- 90th percentile
- $108,000
Top Employers Hiring Designers in San Francisco, CA
PERKINS & WILL is the largest H-1B sponsor for Designer in San Francisco, CA, with 14 certified filings (7% of local Designer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $73,008. Among the top sponsors, SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP pays the highest median at $88,300. The pay spread across top employers is 32%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 32% ($66,997 at HELLMUTH OBATA & KASSABAUM to $88,300 at SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| PERKINS & WILL | 14 | $73,008 |
| HELLMUTH OBATA & KASSABAUM | 11 | $66,997 |
| STUDIOS ARCHITECTURE | 10 | $73,000 |
| SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP | 10 | $88,300 |
| HARLEY ELLIS DEVEREAUX | 7 | $82,160 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Designer 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 Designer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Designer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Designer is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (500) outside San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Redmond, WA at $129,255. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 500 | $71,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 200 | $68,016 |
| Redmond, WA | 105 | $129,255 |
| Boston, MA | 84 | $70,013 |
| Chicago, IL | 80 | $72,500 |
| Irving, TX | 77 | $91,562 |
| Atlanta, GA | 73 | $80,267 |
| Seattle, WA | 70 | $71,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 65 | $65,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 58 | $96,304 |
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-Designer 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 Designer in San Francisco, CA is $77,500, based on 195 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 3% higher than the national Designer H-1B median of $75,317 across all U.S. locations. It is also 50% lower than the overall H-1B median of $154,523 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $46,994 range from the 10th percentile ($61,006) to the 90th percentile ($108,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $67,000 and $90,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
PERKINS & WILL is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 14 certified filings at a median salary of $73,008. Among the top employers, SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP pays the highest median at $88,300. The pay spread across top employers is 32%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Designer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 195 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 Designer salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Designer positions in San Francisco, CA is $77,500, based on 195 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $61,006
- 25th percentile
- $67,000
- Median
- $77,500
- 75th percentile
- $90,000
- 90th percentile
- $108,000
The salary distribution for Designer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $61,006, while the 90th percentile earns $108,000. This $46,994 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Designer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 41% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Designers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Designer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Designer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. PERKINS & WILL leads with 14 filings at a median salary of $73,008. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $66,997 to $88,300.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Designer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Designer 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, 195 H-1B positions for Designers 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.