Skip to main content
H-1B data current through FY 2026 Q1

Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Richmond, VA

Employers have filed 220 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Lead Software Engineer positions in Richmond, VA, with a median salary of $95,909. That's 31% lower than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $139,027 across all U.S. locations, and about the same as the Richmond, VA all-roles H-1B median of $95,909. Lead Software Engineer ranks #6 among H-1B job titles filed from Richmond, VA.

Headline numbers for Lead Software Engineer H-1B roles in Richmond, VA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,428 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Lead Software Engineer hiring.

$95,909
Median Salary
220
Certified Filings
$86,778
10th Percentile
$150,550
90th Percentile

Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Richmond, VA

The pay distribution for this role spans $63,772 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $89,669 and $133,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Lead Software Engineers land. The median of $95,909 sits 31% lower than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median.

10th percentile
$86,778
25th percentile
$89,669
Median
$95,909
75th percentile
$133,000
90th percentile
$150,550
Middle 50% of Lead Software Engineer H-1B salaries in Richmond, VA: $89,669 to $133,000

Top Employers Hiring Lead Software Engineers in Richmond, VA

CAPITAL ONE SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for Lead Software Engineer in Richmond, VA, with 140 certified filings (64% of local Lead Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $95,909. Among the top sponsors, THOMSON REUTERS HOLDINGS pays the highest median at $158,394. The pay spread across top employers is 66%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.

Median Salary Comparison

Pay spread among top employers: 66% ($95,660 at UST GLOBAL to $158,394 at THOMSON REUTERS HOLDINGS)

Employer Filings Median Salary
CAPITAL ONE SERVICES 140 $95,909
UST GLOBAL 68 $95,660
IMPETUS TECHNOLOGIES 2 $115,000
DFS CORPORATE SERVICES 2 $133,000
THOMSON REUTERS HOLDINGS 2 $158,394

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 Richmond, VA, which tells you whether Lead Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.

vs. National Lead Software Engineer
-31%
31% lower than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $139,027.
vs. Richmond, VA Average
0%
about the same as the overall H-1B median in Richmond, VA ($95,909).

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 (740) outside Richmond, VA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $176,800. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.

City Filings Median Salary
Plano, TX 740 $153,900
Charlotte, NC 675 $134,347
San Francisco, CA 411 $176,800
San Jose, CA 402 $164,403
Jersey City, NJ 395 $170,000
New York, NY 394 $160,000
Chicago, IL 364 $138,000
O'Fallon, MO 320 $125,000
Columbus, OH 294 $142,000
Atlanta, GA 289 $135,908

Other H-1B Jobs in Richmond, VA

The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Richmond, VA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Lead Software Engineer role here (1,190 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $113,402.

Job Title Filings Median Salary
Software Developer 1,190 $94,037
Software Engineer 667 $90,602
Senior Software Engineer 423 $113,402
Data Engineer 288 $90,500
Data Analyst 227 $82,930
Assistant Professor 210 $58,926
Java Developer 206 $94,000
Senior Systems Analyst 205 $82,930
Systems Analyst 203 $84,323
Senior Data Analyst 203 $75,171

Key Insights

The median H-1B salary for Lead Software Engineer in Richmond, VA is $95,909, based on 220 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 31% lower than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $139,027 across all U.S. locations. It is also about the same as the overall H-1B median of $95,909 in Richmond, VA across all job titles.

Salaries span a $63,772 range from the 10th percentile ($86,778) to the 90th percentile ($150,550). The middle 50% of workers earn between $89,669 and $133,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.

CAPITAL ONE SERVICES is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Richmond, VA, with 140 certified filings at a median salary of $95,909. Among the top employers, THOMSON REUTERS HOLDINGS pays the highest median at $158,394. The pay spread across top employers is 66%, 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 Richmond, VA, answered directly from 220 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 Richmond, VA?

The median H-1B salary for Lead Software Engineer positions in Richmond, VA is $95,909, based on 220 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

10th percentile
$86,778
25th percentile
$89,669
Median
$95,909
75th percentile
$133,000
90th percentile
$150,550

The salary distribution for Lead Software Engineer roles in Richmond, VA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $86,778, while the 90th percentile earns $150,550. This $63,772 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.

Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Lead Software Engineer salaries in Richmond, VA are 27% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.

Which companies hire Lead Software Engineers in Richmond, VA?

The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Lead Software Engineer positions in Richmond, VA are:

These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Lead Software Engineer roles specifically in Richmond, VA. CAPITAL ONE SERVICES leads with 140 filings at a median salary of $95,909. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $95,660 to $158,394.

How do I get an H-1B visa as a Lead Software Engineer in Richmond, VA?

To obtain an H-1B visa as a Lead Software Engineer in Richmond, VA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:

1
Job Offer
2
LCA Filed
3
H-1B Petition
4
Approved
  1. Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
  2. The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  3. Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
  4. If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work

Based on our data, 220 H-1B positions for Lead Software Engineers in Richmond, VA 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.