Engineer H-1B Salary in San Diego, CA
Employers have filed 70 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Engineer positions in San Diego, CA, with a median salary of $104,562. That's 4% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median of $100,097 across all U.S. locations, and 13% lower than the San Diego, CA all-roles H-1B median of $120,224. Engineer ranks #63 among H-1B job titles filed from San Diego, CA.
Headline numbers for Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,972 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Engineer hiring.
Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Diego, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $56,576 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $89,512 and $120,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Engineers land. The median of $104,562 sits 4% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $73,424
- 25th percentile
- $89,512
- Median
- $104,562
- 75th percentile
- $120,000
- 90th percentile
- $130,000
Top Employers Hiring Engineers in San Diego, CA
SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR is the largest H-1B sponsor for Engineer in San Diego, CA, with 24 certified filings (34% of local Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $108,930. Among the top sponsors, MEDIATEK USA pays the highest median at $130,000. The pay spread across top employers is 84%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 84% ($70,700 at CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP-CA to $130,000 at MEDIATEK USA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR | 24 | $108,930 |
| MEDIATEK USA | 9 | $120,000 |
| MEDIATEK USA | 6 | $130,000 |
| CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP-CA | 5 | $70,700 |
| IBASE CONSULTING OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY | 5 | $102,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national 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 Diego, CA, which tells you whether Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Engineer is an active H-1B role. Phoenix, AZ has the most filings (427) outside San Diego, CA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $135,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 427 | $120,000 |
| San Jose, CA | 197 | $126,000 |
| New York, NY | 181 | $120,613 |
| Austin, TX | 169 | $104,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 65 | $135,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 61 | $82,368 |
| Sunrise, FL | 58 | $112,900 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 56 | $120,000 |
| Omaha, NE | 53 | $114,621 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Diego, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Diego, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Engineer role here (2,748 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $146,328.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 2,748 | $125,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,673 | $121,597 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,436 | $146,328 |
| QA Engineer | 767 | $96,742 |
| Senior QA Engineer | 613 | $111,322 |
| Software Developer | 553 | $111,322 |
| Staff QA Engineer | 456 | $133,370 |
| Software Engineer II | 363 | $130,000 |
| Senior Asics Engineer | 349 | $108,930 |
| Systems Engineer | 330 | $108,971 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Engineer in San Diego, CA is $104,562, based on 70 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 4% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median of $100,097 across all U.S. locations. It is also 13% lower than the overall H-1B median of $120,224 in San Diego, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $56,576 range from the 10th percentile ($73,424) to the 90th percentile ($130,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $89,512 and $120,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Diego, CA, with 24 certified filings at a median salary of $108,930. Among the top employers, MEDIATEK USA pays the highest median at $130,000. The pay spread across top employers is 84%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Engineer H-1B roles in San Diego, CA, answered directly from 70 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 salary in San Diego, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Engineer positions in San Diego, CA is $104,562, based on 70 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $73,424
- 25th percentile
- $89,512
- Median
- $104,562
- 75th percentile
- $120,000
- 90th percentile
- $130,000
The salary distribution for Engineer roles in San Diego, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $73,424, while the 90th percentile earns $130,000. This $56,576 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA are 20% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Engineers in San Diego, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Engineer positions in San Diego, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Engineer roles specifically in San Diego, CA. SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR leads with 24 filings at a median salary of $108,930. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $70,700 to $130,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Engineer in San Diego, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Engineer in San Diego, 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, 70 H-1B positions for Engineers in San Diego, 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.