Lead Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 77 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Lead Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $96,221. That's 17% higher than the national Lead Engineer H-1B median of $82,160 across all U.S. locations, and 34% lower than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Lead Engineer ranks #95 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Lead Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #4,300 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Lead Engineer hiring.
Lead Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $52,728 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $93,850 and $122,949, the interquartile range where most experienced Lead Engineers land. The median of $96,221 sits 17% higher than the national Lead Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $88,650
- 25th percentile
- $93,850
- Median
- $96,221
- 75th percentile
- $122,949
- 90th percentile
- $141,378
Top Employers Hiring Lead Engineers in San Jose, CA
WIPRO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Lead Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 56 certified filings (73% of local Lead Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $93,850. Among the top sponsors, CALSOFT LABS pays the highest median at $151,091. The pay spread across top employers is 61%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 61% ($93,850 at WIPRO to $151,091 at CALSOFT LABS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| WIPRO | 56 | $93,850 |
| SRS CONSULTING | 6 | $109,000 |
| CALSOFT LABS | 4 | $151,091 |
| DIGICOMM SEMICONDUCTOR | 3 | $141,378 |
| BLUE JEANS NETWORK | 2 | $131,720 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Lead 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 Jose, CA, which tells you whether Lead Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Lead Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Lead Engineer is an active H-1B role. Minneapolis, MN has the most filings (246) outside San Jose, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 246 | $130,998 |
| Austin, TX | 182 | $72,717 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 94 | $96,221 |
| Richfield, MN | 81 | $75,234 |
| Plano, TX | 78 | $78,645 |
| Irving, TX | 72 | $78,645 |
| Houston, TX | 64 | $84,510 |
| New York, NY | 64 | $120,000 |
| Brooklyn Park, MN | 57 | $125,798 |
| Chicago, IL | 50 | $102,690 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Jose, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Jose, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Lead Engineer role here (8,169 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $183,646.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 8,169 | $160,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,528 | $175,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,544 | $120,578 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,299 | $155,000 |
| Product Manager | 918 | $167,632 |
| Software Engineer II | 842 | $133,000 |
| Accountant | 805 | $108,000 |
| Data Scientist | 805 | $158,952 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 802 | $183,646 |
| Architect | 770 | $144,800 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Lead Engineer in San Jose, CA is $96,221, based on 77 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 17% higher than the national Lead Engineer H-1B median of $82,160 across all U.S. locations. It is also 34% lower than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $52,728 range from the 10th percentile ($88,650) to the 90th percentile ($141,378). The middle 50% of workers earn between $93,850 and $122,949, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
WIPRO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 56 certified filings at a median salary of $93,850. Among the top employers, CALSOFT LABS pays the highest median at $151,091. The pay spread across top employers is 61%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Lead Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, answered directly from 77 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 Lead Engineer salary in San Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Lead Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $96,221, based on 77 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $88,650
- 25th percentile
- $93,850
- Median
- $96,221
- 75th percentile
- $122,949
- 90th percentile
- $141,378
The salary distribution for Lead Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $88,650, while the 90th percentile earns $141,378. This $52,728 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Lead Engineer salaries in San Jose, CA are 26% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Lead Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Lead Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Lead Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. WIPRO leads with 56 filings at a median salary of $93,850. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $93,850 to $151,091.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Lead Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Lead Engineer in San Jose, 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, 77 H-1B positions for Lead Engineers in San Jose, 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.