Hardware Development Engineer H-1B Visa Salary Data
There have been 632 certified H-1B filings for Hardware Development Engineer positions from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median salary is $160,000, which is 23% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,541.
Salary Distribution
Salary Range Distribution
Most Hardware Development Engineer H-1B salaries fall between $145,000 and $173,070.
Median Salary Trend
Hardware Development Engineer salaries have grown 36% from FY 2020 ($150,000) to FY 2026 ($203,834).
Top Employers & Locations
Top Employers for Hardware Development Engineer
| Employer | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| APPLE | 594 | $160,000 |
| 7 | $243,000 | |
| FORD MOTOR | 4 | $124,050 |
| FORTINET | 3 | $126,131 |
| NOKIA OF AMERICA | 3 | $134,710 |
| IBM | 3 | $149,065 |
| PHILIPS ULTRASOUND | 3 | $93,202 |
| FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL USA | 2 | $126,131 |
| LENOVO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY (UNITED STATES) | 2 | $129,002 |
| SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SYSTEMS USA | 2 | $102,000 |
Top Locations for Hardware Development Engineer
| Location | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Cupertino, CA (all jobs) | 491 | $160,222 |
| San Diego, CA | 35 | $140,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 32 | $160,000 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 26 | $173,000 |
| Mountain View, CA | 9 | $215,000 |
| Yorktown Heights, NY | 3 | $149,065 |
| Cambridge, MA | 3 | $93,202 |
| Boulder, CO | 3 | $130,000 |
| Austin, TX | 3 | $165,000 |
| Milpitas, CA | 2 | $126,131 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Hardware Development Engineer is $160,000, based on 632 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 23% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,541. Median pay has grown 36% since FY 2020 ($150,000 → $203,834).
Salaries span a $55,387 range from the 10th percentile ($132,613) to the 90th percentile ($188,000). The middle 50% of Hardware Development Engineers earn between $145,000 and $173,070, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, company tier, and geographic location.
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role, with 594 certified filings at a median salary of $160,000. Among the top sponsors, GOOGLE pays the highest median at $243,000. The pay spread across top employers is 161%.
Geographically, Cupertino, CA has the highest concentration of Hardware Development Engineer H-1B filings (491) at a median of $160,222. The highest-paying metro among the top locations is Mountain View, CA at $215,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Hardware Development Engineer H-1B salary?
The median H-1B salary for Hardware Development Engineer positions is $160,000, based on 632 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This salary is 23% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,541. Compensation varies significantly by employer type—large tech companies typically pay $173,070 to $188,000, while consulting firms and smaller employers may offer $132,613 to $145,000. Location also impacts pay, with coastal tech hubs commanding premium salaries.
- 10th percentile
- $132,613
- 25th percentile
- $145,000
- Median
- $160,000
- 75th percentile
- $173,070
- 90th percentile
- $188,000
Salaries range from $132,613 at the 10th percentile to $188,000 at the 90th percentile, showing a $55,387 spread. The 25th percentile is $145,000 and the 75th percentile is $173,070.
Which companies hire the most Hardware Development Engineers on H-1B?
H-1B sponsorship for Hardware Development Engineer positions spans various industries and employer types. The top sponsors reflect where demand for this role is highest, with compensation varying based on employer size, industry sector, and geographic location. Larger employers often have established visa sponsorship programs and immigration support.
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Hardware Development Engineer positions with 594 filings at a median salary of $160,000. GOOGLE follows with 7 filings.
Where are Hardware Development Engineer H-1B jobs located?
Hardware Development Engineer H-1B positions are concentrated in major tech hubs and metropolitan areas with strong technology ecosystems. The San Francisco Bay Area (including San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View) and Seattle-Redmond corridor dominate due to headquarters of major tech employers. New York City attracts Hardware Development Engineers across finance, media, and tech sectors. Emerging hubs like Austin, Denver, and Raleigh-Durham offer growing opportunities with lower costs of living compared to coastal cities.
Cupertino, CA has the highest concentration of Hardware Development Engineer H-1B filings with 491 positions at a median salary of $160,222. The highest-paying location is Mountain View, CA at $215,000 median.
How have Hardware Development Engineer salaries changed over time?
Hardware Development Engineer H-1B salaries have grown by +36% from FY 2020 to FY 2026, outpacing general inflation in most years. The median rose from $150,000 to $203,834 during this period. This growth reflects increasing demand for skilled tech workers, competitive hiring among major employers, and broader salary inflation in the technology sector. The distribution has also widened, with top-tier companies offering increasingly premium compensation to attract talent, while entry-level positions have seen more modest gains.
Year-by-year breakdown:
- FY 2022: $170,000 (179 certified)
- FY 2023: $164,006 (43 certified)
- FY 2024: $160,700 (21 certified)
- FY 2025: $152,480 (23 certified)
- FY 2026: $203,834 (1 certified)