Skip to main content
H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA

Employers have filed 66 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Engineer Senior Systems Software positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $204,134. That's 13% higher than the national Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B median of $180,000 across all U.S. locations, and 35% higher than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $151,468. Engineer Senior Systems Software ranks #79 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.

Headline numbers for Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,183 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Engineer Senior Systems Software hiring.

$204,134
Median Salary
66
Certified Filings
$173,329
10th Percentile
$264,514
90th Percentile

Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B Salary Range in Santa Clara, CA

The pay distribution for this role spans $91,185 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $176,200 and $208,347, the interquartile range where most experienced Engineer Senior Systems Softwares land. The median of $204,134 sits 13% higher than the national Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B median.

10th percentile
$173,329
25th percentile
$176,200
Median
$204,134
75th percentile
$208,347
90th percentile
$264,514
Middle 50% of Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B salaries in Santa Clara, CA: $176,200 to $208,347

Top Employers Hiring Engineer Senior Systems Softwares in Santa Clara, CA

NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for Engineer Senior Systems Software in Santa Clara, CA, with 66 certified filings (100% of local Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B filings) at a median salary of $204,134.

Employer Filings Median Salary
NVIDIA 66 $204,134

How This Salary Compares

Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Engineer Senior Systems Software 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 Santa Clara, CA, which tells you whether Engineer Senior Systems Software pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Engineer Senior Systems Software
+13%
13% higher than the national Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B median of $180,000.
vs. Santa Clara, CA Average
+35%
35% higher than the overall H-1B median in Santa Clara, CA ($151,468).

Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Clara, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Engineer Senior Systems Software role here (4,272 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Software Engineer at a median of $200,000.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Engineer 4,272 $148,090
Senior Software Engineer 1,406 $155,965
Component Design Engineer 1,209 $131,470
Hardware Engineer 858 $162,523
Staff Software Engineer 812 $178,198
Software Engineer II 759 $177,800
Architect 688 $163,966
Software Developer 546 $126,000
QA Engineer 531 $123,204
Principal Software Engineer 501 $200,000

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Engineer Senior Systems Software in Santa Clara, CA is $204,134, based on 66 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 13% higher than the national Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B median of $180,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 35% higher than the overall H-1B median of $151,468 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $91,185 range from the 10th percentile ($173,329) to the 90th percentile ($264,514). The middle 50% of workers earn between $176,200 and $208,347, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 66 certified filings at a median salary of $204,134.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions people ask about Engineer Senior Systems Software H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 66 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 Engineer Senior Systems Software salary in Santa Clara, CA?

The median H-1B salary for Engineer Senior Systems Software positions in Santa Clara, CA is $204,134, based on 66 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$173,329
25th percentile
$176,200
Median
$204,134
75th percentile
$208,347
90th percentile
$264,514

The salary distribution for Engineer Senior Systems Software roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $173,329, while the 90th percentile earns $264,514. This $91,185 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Engineer Senior Systems Software salaries in Santa Clara, CA are 56% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Engineer Senior Systems Softwares in Santa Clara, CA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Engineer Senior Systems Software positions in Santa Clara, CA are:

NVIDIA
$204,134

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Engineer Senior Systems Software roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. NVIDIA leads with 66 filings at a median salary of $204,134.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Engineer Senior Systems Software in Santa Clara, CA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Engineer Senior Systems Software in Santa Clara, CA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 66 H-1B positions for Engineer Senior Systems Softwares in Santa Clara, 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.