Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Milpitas, CA
Employers have filed 97 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Lead Software Engineer positions in Milpitas, CA, with a median salary of $192,724. That's 38% higher than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $139,610 across all U.S. locations, and 40% higher than the Milpitas, CA all-roles H-1B median of $137,669. Lead Software Engineer ranks #9 among H-1B job titles filed from Milpitas, CA.
Headline numbers for Lead Software Engineer H-1B roles in Milpitas, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,724 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Lead Software Engineer hiring.
Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Milpitas, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $89,671 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $169,600 and $213,845, the interquartile range where most experienced Lead Software Engineers land. The median of $192,724 sits 38% higher than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $157,477
- 25th percentile
- $169,600
- Median
- $192,724
- 75th percentile
- $213,845
- 90th percentile
- $247,148
Top Employers Hiring Lead Software Engineers in Milpitas, CA
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Lead Software Engineer in Milpitas, CA, with 81 certified filings (84% of local Lead Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $197,706. The pay spread across top employers is 50%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 50% ($131,726 at VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS to $197,706 at CISCO)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CISCO | 81 | $197,706 |
| GLOBALLOGIC | 3 | $145,725 |
| SUPERNAL | 2 | $192,941 |
| EPAM SYSTEMS | 2 | $188,000 |
| VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS | 1 | $131,726 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Lead Software 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 Milpitas, CA, which tells you whether Lead Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Lead Software Engineer is an active H-1B role. Plano, TX has the most filings (775) outside Milpitas, CA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $179,888. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Plano, TX | 775 | $154,028 |
| Charlotte, NC | 712 | $134,347 |
| San Jose, CA | 443 | $167,149 |
| San Francisco, CA | 423 | $179,888 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 420 | $171,200 |
| New York, NY | 414 | $160,555 |
| Chicago, IL | 388 | $140,000 |
| O'Fallon, MO | 325 | $125,000 |
| Columbus, OH | 312 | $142,700 |
| Atlanta, GA | 306 | $136,167 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Milpitas, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Milpitas, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Lead Software Engineer role here (815 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $189,155.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 815 | $146,307 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 245 | $162,812 |
| Software Developer | 230 | $120,578 |
| QA Engineer | 132 | $120,000 |
| Architect | 109 | $131,144 |
| Product Development Engineer | 108 | $145,000 |
| Project Manager | 101 | $131,144 |
| Research Scientist | 100 | $153,328 |
| Engineering Manager | 96 | $189,155 |
| Senior Engineer, Industrial Engineering | 95 | $99,859 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Lead Software Engineer in Milpitas, CA is $192,724, based on 97 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 38% higher than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $139,610 across all U.S. locations. It is also 40% higher than the overall H-1B median of $137,669 in Milpitas, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $89,671 range from the 10th percentile ($157,477) to the 90th percentile ($247,148). The middle 50% of workers earn between $169,600 and $213,845, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Milpitas, CA, with 81 certified filings at a median salary of $197,706. The pay spread across top employers is 50%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Lead Software Engineer H-1B roles in Milpitas, CA, answered directly from 97 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 Software Engineer salary in Milpitas, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Lead Software Engineer positions in Milpitas, CA is $192,724, based on 97 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $157,477
- 25th percentile
- $169,600
- Median
- $192,724
- 75th percentile
- $213,845
- 90th percentile
- $247,148
The salary distribution for Lead Software Engineer roles in Milpitas, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $157,477, while the 90th percentile earns $247,148. This $89,671 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Lead Software Engineer salaries in Milpitas, CA are 53% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Lead Software Engineers in Milpitas, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Lead Software Engineer positions in Milpitas, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Lead Software Engineer roles specifically in Milpitas, CA. CISCO leads with 81 filings at a median salary of $197,706. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $131,726 to $197,706.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Lead Software Engineer in Milpitas, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Lead Software Engineer in Milpitas, 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, 97 H-1B positions for Lead Software Engineers in Milpitas, 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.