Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 56 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $120,000. That's 20% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median of $100,097 across all U.S. locations, and 22% lower than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $153,010. Engineer ranks #92 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,264 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 Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $56,816 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $111,634 and $142,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Engineers land. The median of $120,000 sits 20% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $101,774
- 25th percentile
- $111,634
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $142,000
- 90th percentile
- $158,590
Top Employers Hiring Engineers in Santa Clara, CA
HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, with 26 certified filings (46% of local Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $136,427. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 34% ($101,774 at TENSTORRENT USA to $136,427 at HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE | 26 | $136,427 |
| MARVELL SEMICONDUCTOR | 7 | $112,000 |
| BRILLIO | 5 | $103,000 |
| PACTRON | 4 | $127,317 |
| TENSTORRENT USA | 3 | $101,774 |
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 Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara, 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 Diego, CA | 70 | $104,562 |
| San Francisco, CA | 65 | $135,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 61 | $82,368 |
| Sunrise, FL | 58 | $112,900 |
| Omaha, NE | 53 | $114,621 |
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 role here (4,455 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 | 4,455 | $149,950 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,455 | $156,951 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,267 | $131,470 |
| Hardware Engineer | 896 | $163,717 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 865 | $179,396 |
| Software Engineer II | 802 | $178,300 |
| Architect | 711 | $165,000 |
| QA Engineer | 557 | $123,283 |
| Software Developer | 554 | $126,693 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 524 | $200,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $120,000, based on 56 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 20% higher than the national Engineer H-1B median of $100,097 across all U.S. locations. It is also 22% lower than the overall H-1B median of $153,010 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $56,816 range from the 10th percentile ($101,774) to the 90th percentile ($158,590). The middle 50% of workers earn between $111,634 and $142,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 26 certified filings at a median salary of $136,427. The pay spread across top employers is 34%, 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 Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 56 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA is $120,000, based on 56 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $101,774
- 25th percentile
- $111,634
- Median
- $120,000
- 75th percentile
- $142,000
- 90th percentile
- $158,590
The salary distribution for Engineer roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $101,774, while the 90th percentile earns $158,590. This $56,816 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 Santa Clara, CA are 8% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Engineers in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Engineer roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE leads with 26 filings at a median salary of $136,427. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $101,774 to $136,427.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Engineer in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Engineer in Santa Clara, 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, 56 H-1B positions for Engineers 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.