Lead Engineer H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 94 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Lead Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, 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 39% lower than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $157,269. Lead Engineer ranks #68 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for Lead Engineer H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,490 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $84,600 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $93,850 and $124,446, 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
- $124,446
- 90th percentile
- $173,250
Top Employers Hiring Lead Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA
WIPRO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Lead Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA, with 72 certified filings (77% of local Lead Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $96,221. Among the top sponsors, NOKIA OF AMERICA pays the highest median at $196,117. The pay spread across top employers is 104%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 104% ($96,221 at WIPRO to $196,117 at NOKIA OF AMERICA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| WIPRO | 72 | $96,221 |
| TARGET ENTERPRISE | 9 | $175,126 |
| VOLVO CAR TECHNOLOGY USA | 3 | $184,080 |
| NOKIA OF AMERICA | 3 | $196,117 |
| QUEST GLOBAL SERVICES- N.A. | 2 | $140,000 |
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 Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, 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 |
| Richfield, MN | 81 | $75,234 |
| Plano, TX | 78 | $78,645 |
| San Jose, CA | 77 | $96,221 |
| 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sunnyvale, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Lead Engineer role here (15,458 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $184,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 15,458 | $167,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,316 | $159,370 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,039 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,651 | $176,000 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,612 | $142,391 |
| Program Manager | 1,215 | $161,000 |
| Software Developer | 943 | $120,600 |
| Project Manager | 681 | $137,363 |
| Software Engineer I | 680 | $142,400 |
| QA Engineer | 655 | $133,718 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Lead Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $96,221, based on 94 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 39% lower than the overall H-1B median of $157,269 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $84,600 range from the 10th percentile ($88,650) to the 90th percentile ($173,250). The middle 50% of workers earn between $93,850 and $124,446, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
WIPRO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 72 certified filings at a median salary of $96,221. Among the top employers, NOKIA OF AMERICA pays the highest median at $196,117. The pay spread across top employers is 104%, 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 Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 94 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 Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Lead Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $96,221, based on 94 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
- $124,446
- 90th percentile
- $173,250
The salary distribution for Lead Engineer roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $88,650, while the 90th percentile earns $173,250. This $84,600 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 Sunnyvale, CA are 26% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Lead Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Lead Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Lead Engineer roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. WIPRO leads with 72 filings at a median salary of $96,221. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $96,221 to $196,117.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Lead Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Lead Engineer in Sunnyvale, 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, 94 H-1B positions for Lead Engineers in Sunnyvale, 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.