Firmware Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 54 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Firmware Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $140,253. That's 21% higher than the national Firmware Engineer H-1B median of $116,000 across all U.S. locations, and 7% lower than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $151,468. Firmware Engineer ranks #93 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Firmware Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #6,298 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Firmware Engineer hiring.
Firmware Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $69,072 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $126,000 and $157,477, the interquartile range where most experienced Firmware Engineers land. The median of $140,253 sits 21% higher than the national Firmware Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $115,008
- 25th percentile
- $126,000
- Median
- $140,253
- 75th percentile
- $157,477
- 90th percentile
- $184,080
Top Employers Hiring Firmware Engineers in Santa Clara, CA
INTEL is the largest H-1B sponsor for Firmware Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, with 38 certified filings (70% of local Firmware Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $140,354. Among the top sponsors, AURIS HEALTH pays the highest median at $144,883. The pay spread across top employers is 26%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 26% ($115,008 at MEDISENS WIRELESS to $144,883 at AURIS HEALTH)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| INTEL | 38 | $140,354 |
| SK HYNIX NAND PRODUCT SOLUTIONS | 4 | $141,378 |
| SF MOTORS | 2 | $131,000 |
| AURIS HEALTH | 2 | $144,883 |
| MEDISENS WIRELESS | 1 | $115,008 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Firmware 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 Firmware Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Firmware Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Firmware Engineer is an active H-1B role. Hillsboro, OR has the most filings (93) outside Santa Clara, CA. The highest median among these is San Jose, CA at $123,781. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro, OR | 93 | $111,301 |
| Folsom, CA | 89 | $108,514 |
| San Jose, CA | 75 | $123,781 |
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-Firmware Engineer 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 Firmware Engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $140,253, based on 54 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 21% higher than the national Firmware Engineer H-1B median of $116,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 7% lower than the overall H-1B median of $151,468 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $69,072 range from the 10th percentile ($115,008) to the 90th percentile ($184,080). The middle 50% of workers earn between $126,000 and $157,477, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
INTEL is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 38 certified filings at a median salary of $140,354. Among the top employers, AURIS HEALTH pays the highest median at $144,883. The pay spread across top employers is 26%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Firmware Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 54 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 Firmware Engineer salary in Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Firmware Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA is $140,253, based on 54 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $115,008
- 25th percentile
- $126,000
- Median
- $140,253
- 75th percentile
- $157,477
- 90th percentile
- $184,080
The salary distribution for Firmware Engineer roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $115,008, while the 90th percentile earns $184,080. This $69,072 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Firmware Engineer salaries in Santa Clara, CA are 7% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Firmware Engineers in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Firmware Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Firmware Engineer roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. INTEL leads with 38 filings at a median salary of $140,354. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $115,008 to $144,883.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Firmware Engineer in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Firmware 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, 54 H-1B positions for Firmware 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.