Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 220 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $129,233. That's 28% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median of $101,070 across all U.S. locations, and 14% lower than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $150,000. Engineer ranks #37 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,526 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Engineer hiring.
Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $61,216 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $117,604 and $150,436, the interquartile range where most experienced Engineers land. The median of $129,233 sits 28% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $108,784
- 25th percentile
- $117,604
- Median
- $129,233
- 75th percentile
- $150,436
- 90th percentile
- $170,000
Top Employers Hiring Engineers in San Jose, CA
HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 55 certified filings (25% of local Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $153,000. Among the top sponsors, SUPER MICRO COMPUTER pays the highest median at $159,000. The pay spread across top employers is 30%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 30% ($122,408 at SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR to $159,000 at SUPER MICRO COMPUTER)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE | 55 | $153,000 |
| SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR | 46 | $122,408 |
| SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR | 45 | $125,000 |
| MEDIATEK USA | 25 | $126,131 |
| SUPER MICRO COMPUTER | 8 | $159,000 |
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 Jose, 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 (430) outside San Jose, CA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $135,464. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 430 | $120,000 |
| New York, NY | 197 | $121,430 |
| Austin, TX | 191 | $105,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 79 | $105,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 68 | $87,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 67 | $135,464 |
| Glen Allen, VA | 60 | $112,120 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 59 | $121,000 |
| Sunrise, FL | 58 | $112,900 |
| Omaha, NE | 56 | $114,162 |
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-Engineer role here (9,425 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Machine Learning Engineer at a median of $186,874.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,425 | $162,485 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,894 | $176,033 |
| Software Developer | 1,620 | $120,640 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,360 | $155,375 |
| Product Manager | 1,140 | $173,157 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 981 | $186,874 |
| Data Scientist | 963 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 909 | $185,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 899 | $133,875 |
| Accountant | 859 | $109,453 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Engineer in San Jose, CA is $129,233, based on 220 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 28% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median of $101,070 across all U.S. locations. It is also 14% lower than the overall H-1B median of $150,000 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $61,216 range from the 10th percentile ($108,784) to the 90th percentile ($170,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $117,604 and $150,436, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 55 certified filings at a median salary of $153,000. Among the top employers, SUPER MICRO COMPUTER pays the highest median at $159,000. The pay spread across top employers is 30%, 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 Jose, CA, answered directly from 220 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 Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $129,233, based on 220 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $108,784
- 25th percentile
- $117,604
- Median
- $129,233
- 75th percentile
- $150,436
- 90th percentile
- $170,000
The salary distribution for Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $108,784, while the 90th percentile earns $170,000. This $61,216 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Engineer salaries in San Jose, CA are 2% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE leads with 55 filings at a median salary of $153,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $122,408 to $159,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Engineer 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, 220 H-1B positions for Engineers 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.