Hardware Engineer H-1B Visa Salary Data
There have been 3,981 certified H-1B filings for Hardware Engineer positions from FY 2020 to FY 2026. The median salary is $138,133, which is 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,707.
Salary Distribution
Salary Range Distribution
Most Hardware Engineer H-1B salaries fall between $108,888 and $168,492.
Median Salary Trend
Hardware Engineer salaries have grown 33% from FY 2020 ($125,000) to FY 2026 ($165,963).
Top Employers & Locations
Top Employers for Hardware Engineer
| Employer | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| INTEL | 885 | $119,130 |
| NVIDIA | 766 | $166,026 |
| 563 | $164,000 | |
| MICROSOFT | 462 | $161,434 |
| QUALCOMM | 163 | $101,192 |
| CISCO | 138 | $129,501 |
| L&T TECHNOLOGY SERVICES | 70 | $88,000 |
| HP | 49 | $102,024 |
| META | 42 | $185,000 |
| JUNIPER NETWORKS | 29 | $125,757 |
Top Locations for Hardware Engineer
| Location | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara, CA (all jobs) | 896 | $163,717 |
| Folsom, CA (all jobs) | 466 | $109,533 |
| Mountain View, CA (all jobs) | 422 | $170,000 |
| Redmond, WA (all jobs) | 271 | $161,330 |
| Sunnyvale, CA (all jobs) | 225 | $158,000 |
| San Diego, CA (all jobs) | 209 | $104,562 |
| San Jose, CA (all jobs) | 124 | $134,597 |
| Austin, TX (all jobs) | 120 | $130,894 |
| Hillsboro, OR (all jobs) | 86 | $124,000 |
| Westford, MA | 49 | $136,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Hardware Engineer is $138,133, based on 3,981 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This is 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,707. Median pay has grown 33% since FY 2020 ($125,000 → $165,963).
Salaries span a $102,717 range from the 10th percentile ($93,962) to the 90th percentile ($196,679). The middle 50% of Hardware Engineers earn between $108,888 and $168,492, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, company tier, and geographic location.
INTEL is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role, with 885 certified filings at a median salary of $119,130. Among the top sponsors, META pays the highest median at $185,000. The pay spread across top employers is 110%.
Geographically, Santa Clara, CA has the highest concentration of Hardware Engineer H-1B filings (896) at a median of $163,717. The highest-paying metro among the top locations is Mountain View, CA at $170,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Hardware Engineer H-1B salary?
The median H-1B salary for Hardware Engineer positions is $138,133, based on 3,981 certified Labor Condition Applications from FY 2020 to FY 2026. This salary is 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $130,707. Compensation varies significantly by employer type—large tech companies typically pay $168,492 to $196,679, while consulting firms and smaller employers may offer $93,962 to $108,888. Location also impacts pay, with coastal tech hubs commanding premium salaries.
- 10th percentile
- $93,962
- 25th percentile
- $108,888
- Median
- $138,133
- 75th percentile
- $168,492
- 90th percentile
- $196,679
Salaries range from $93,962 at the 10th percentile to $196,679 at the 90th percentile, showing a $102,717 spread. The 25th percentile is $108,888 and the 75th percentile is $168,492.
Which companies hire the most Hardware Engineers on H-1B?
H-1B sponsorship for Hardware 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.
INTEL is the largest H-1B sponsor for Hardware Engineer positions with 885 filings at a median salary of $119,130. NVIDIA follows with 766 filings.
Where are Hardware Engineer H-1B jobs located?
Hardware 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 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.
Santa Clara, CA has the highest concentration of Hardware Engineer H-1B filings with 896 positions at a median salary of $163,717. The highest-paying location is Mountain View, CA at $170,000 median.
How have Hardware Engineer salaries changed over time?
Hardware Engineer H-1B salaries have grown by +33% from FY 2020 to FY 2026, outpacing general inflation in most years. The median rose from $125,000 to $165,963 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: $138,133 (766 certified)
- FY 2023: $128,107 (566 certified)
- FY 2024: $153,504 (565 certified)
- FY 2025: $163,717 (650 certified)
- FY 2026: $165,963 (194 certified)