Founding Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 63 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Founding Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $175,000. That's 3% higher than the national Founding Engineer H-1B median of $170,000 across all U.S. locations, and 11% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $156,959. Founding Engineer ranks #119 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Founding Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #5,857 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Founding Engineer hiring.
Founding Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $81,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $150,000 and $200,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Founding Engineers land. The median of $175,000 sits 3% higher than the national Founding Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $135,000
- 25th percentile
- $150,000
- Median
- $175,000
- 75th percentile
- $200,000
- 90th percentile
- $216,000
Top Employers Hiring Founding Engineers in San Francisco, CA
DEALOPS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Founding Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 3 certified filings (5% of local Founding Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $170,000. Among the top sponsors, PUBLISH AI pays the highest median at $197,000. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 51% ($130,250 at MOBILIO to $197,000 at PUBLISH AI)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| DEALOPS | 3 | $170,000 |
| TUSK AI | 2 | $165,000 |
| MOONCAKE LABS | 2 | $150,000 |
| MOBILIO | 2 | $130,250 |
| PUBLISH AI | 2 | $197,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Founding 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 Founding Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
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-Founding Engineer role here (13,951 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $212,472.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,951 | $167,710 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 5,106 | $180,960 |
| Data Scientist | 1,623 | $151,882 |
| Product Manager | 1,588 | $165,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,125 | $165,000 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,118 | $212,472 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,099 | $210,000 |
| Accountant | 1,052 | $108,500 |
| Consultant | 1,010 | $120,994 |
| Associate | 908 | $140,900 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Founding Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $175,000, based on 63 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 3% higher than the national Founding Engineer H-1B median of $170,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% higher than the overall H-1B median of $156,959 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $81,000 range from the 10th percentile ($135,000) to the 90th percentile ($216,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $150,000 and $200,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
DEALOPS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 3 certified filings at a median salary of $170,000. Among the top employers, PUBLISH AI pays the highest median at $197,000. The pay spread across top employers is 51%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Founding Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 63 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 Founding Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Founding Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $175,000, based on 63 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $135,000
- 25th percentile
- $150,000
- Median
- $175,000
- 75th percentile
- $200,000
- 90th percentile
- $216,000
The salary distribution for Founding Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $135,000, while the 90th percentile earns $216,000. This $81,000 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Founding Engineer salaries in San Francisco, CA are 39% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Founding Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Founding Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Founding Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. DEALOPS leads with 3 filings at a median salary of $170,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $130,250 to $197,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Founding Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Founding 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, 63 H-1B positions for Founding 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.