Hardware Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 932 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Hardware Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $163,778. That's 17% higher than the national Hardware Engineer H-1B median of $139,672 across all U.S. locations, and 6% higher than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $155,000. Hardware Engineer ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Hardware Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #218 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Hardware Engineer hiring.
Hardware Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $83,949 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $137,676 and $186,472, the interquartile range where most experienced Hardware Engineers land. The median of $163,778 sits 17% higher than the national Hardware Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $124,176
- 25th percentile
- $137,676
- Median
- $163,778
- 75th percentile
- $186,472
- 90th percentile
- $208,125
Top Employers Hiring Hardware Engineers in Santa Clara, CA
NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for Hardware Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, with 607 certified filings (65% of local Hardware Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $172,245. Among the top sponsors, NEXTHOP SYSTEMS pays the highest median at $200,000. The pay spread across top employers is 59%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 59% ($125,495 at QUALCOMM ATHEROS to $200,000 at NEXTHOP SYSTEMS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA | 607 | $172,245 |
| INTEL | 238 | $148,221 |
| ARISTA NETWORKS | 30 | $157,261 |
| QUALCOMM ATHEROS | 8 | $125,495 |
| NEXTHOP SYSTEMS | 7 | $200,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Hardware 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 Hardware Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Hardware Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Hardware Engineer is an active H-1B role. Folsom, CA has the most filings (480) outside Santa Clara, CA. The highest median among these is Mountain View, CA at $171,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Folsom, CA | 480 | $110,361 |
| Mountain View, CA | 435 | $171,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 286 | $162,179 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 229 | $158,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 212 | $104,562 |
| San Jose, CA | 142 | $136,500 |
| Austin, TX | 130 | $135,000 |
| Hillsboro, OR | 87 | $124,000 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 50 | $158,226 |
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-Hardware Engineer role here (4,674 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Software Engineer at a median of $201,053.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 4,674 | $150,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,527 | $157,477 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,298 | $133,400 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 898 | $179,396 |
| Software Engineer II | 841 | $179,200 |
| Architect | 757 | $163,800 |
| QA Engineer | 594 | $125,000 |
| Software Developer | 571 | $127,000 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 557 | $201,053 |
| Chemical Engineer | 490 | $135,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Hardware Engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $163,778, based on 932 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 17% higher than the national Hardware Engineer H-1B median of $139,672 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $155,000 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $83,949 range from the 10th percentile ($124,176) to the 90th percentile ($208,125). The middle 50% of workers earn between $137,676 and $186,472, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
NVIDIA is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 607 certified filings at a median salary of $172,245. Among the top employers, NEXTHOP SYSTEMS pays the highest median at $200,000. The pay spread across top employers is 59%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Hardware Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 932 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 Hardware Engineer salary in Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Hardware Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA is $163,778, based on 932 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $124,176
- 25th percentile
- $137,676
- Median
- $163,778
- 75th percentile
- $186,472
- 90th percentile
- $208,125
The salary distribution for Hardware Engineer roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $124,176, while the 90th percentile earns $208,125. This $83,949 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Hardware Engineer salaries in Santa Clara, CA are 30% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Hardware Engineers in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Hardware Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Hardware Engineer roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. NVIDIA leads with 607 filings at a median salary of $172,245. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $125,495 to $200,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Hardware Engineer in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Hardware 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, 932 H-1B positions for Hardware 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.