Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 65 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $135,000. That's 35% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median of $100,097 across all U.S. locations, and 13% lower than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Engineer ranks #105 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,428 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 Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $130,755 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $113,443 and $170,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Engineers land. The median of $135,000 sits 35% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $94,245
- 25th percentile
- $113,443
- Median
- $135,000
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $225,000
Top Employers Hiring Engineers in San Francisco, CA
SHIPT is the largest H-1B sponsor for Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 16 certified filings (25% of local Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $116,354. Among the top sponsors, SIERRA TECHNOLOGIES pays the highest median at $310,000. The pay spread across top employers is 166%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 166% ($116,354 at SHIPT to $310,000 at SIERRA TECHNOLOGIES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SHIPT | 16 | $116,354 |
| SIERRA TECHNOLOGIES | 4 | $310,000 |
| HASHICORP | 3 | $140,000 |
| INDIE TECHNOLOGIES | 3 | $170,000 |
| MOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES | 3 | $177,216 |
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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is San Jose, CA at $126,000. 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 Diego, CA | 70 | $104,562 |
| 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 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-Engineer role here (13,033 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $210,850.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,033 | $165,605 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,884 | $180,000 |
| Data Scientist | 1,537 | $150,488 |
| Product Manager | 1,504 | $164,500 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,087 | $210,850 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,081 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,032 | $207,000 |
| Accountant | 1,030 | $107,500 |
| Consultant | 969 | $120,000 |
| Associate | 838 | $138,200 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $135,000, based on 65 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 35% 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 $155,000 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $130,755 range from the 10th percentile ($94,245) to the 90th percentile ($225,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $113,443 and $170,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SHIPT is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 16 certified filings at a median salary of $116,354. Among the top employers, SIERRA TECHNOLOGIES pays the highest median at $310,000. The pay spread across top employers is 166%, 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 Francisco, CA, answered directly from 65 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 Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $135,000, based on 65 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $94,245
- 25th percentile
- $113,443
- Median
- $135,000
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $225,000
The salary distribution for Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $94,245, while the 90th percentile earns $225,000. This $130,755 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 Francisco, CA are 3% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. SHIPT leads with 16 filings at a median salary of $116,354. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $116,354 to $310,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a 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, 65 H-1B positions for 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.