Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary in San Francisco, CA
Employers have filed 423 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Lead Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA, with a median salary of $179,888. That's 29% higher than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $139,610 across all U.S. locations, and 15% higher than the San Francisco, CA all-roles H-1B median of $156,959. Lead Software Engineer ranks #28 among H-1B job titles filed from San Francisco, CA.
Headline numbers for Lead Software Engineer H-1B roles in San Francisco, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #663 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Lead Software Engineer hiring.
Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Francisco, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $94,400 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $156,749 and $206,315, the interquartile range where most experienced Lead Software Engineers land. The median of $179,888 sits 29% higher than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $135,000
- 25th percentile
- $156,749
- Median
- $179,888
- 75th percentile
- $206,315
- 90th percentile
- $229,400
Top Employers Hiring Lead Software Engineers in San Francisco, CA
SALESFORCE.COM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Lead Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA, with 61 certified filings (14% of local Lead Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $169,562. Among the top sponsors, SALESFORCE pays the highest median at $229,400. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 62% ($141,751 at WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A to $229,400 at SALESFORCE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| SALESFORCE.COM | 61 | $169,562 |
| CISCO | 59 | $187,574 |
| WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A | 29 | $141,751 |
| LENDINGCLUB BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | 26 | $205,000 |
| SALESFORCE | 21 | $229,400 |
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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA. The highest median among these is Jersey City, NJ at $171,200. 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 |
| 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 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 295 | $121,139 |
Other H-1B Jobs in San Francisco, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from San Francisco, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Lead Software Engineer role here (13,951 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Engineering Manager at a median of $212,472.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 13,951 | $167,710 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 5,106 | $180,960 |
| Data Scientist | 1,623 | $151,882 |
| Product Manager | 1,588 | $165,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,125 | $165,000 |
| Engineering Manager | 1,118 | $212,472 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 1,099 | $210,000 |
| Accountant | 1,052 | $108,500 |
| Consultant | 1,010 | $120,994 |
| Associate | 908 | $140,900 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Lead Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $179,888, based on 423 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 29% higher than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $139,610 across all U.S. locations. It is also 15% higher than the overall H-1B median of $156,959 in San Francisco, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $94,400 range from the 10th percentile ($135,000) to the 90th percentile ($229,400). The middle 50% of workers earn between $156,749 and $206,315, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
SALESFORCE.COM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Francisco, CA, with 61 certified filings at a median salary of $169,562. Among the top employers, SALESFORCE pays the highest median at $229,400. The pay spread across top employers is 62%, 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 San Francisco, CA, answered directly from 423 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 San Francisco, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Lead Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA is $179,888, based on 423 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $135,000
- 25th percentile
- $156,749
- Median
- $179,888
- 75th percentile
- $206,315
- 90th percentile
- $229,400
The salary distribution for Lead Software Engineer roles in San Francisco, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $135,000, while the 90th percentile earns $229,400. This $94,400 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 San Francisco, CA are 42% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Lead Software Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Lead Software Engineer positions in San Francisco, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Lead Software Engineer roles specifically in San Francisco, CA. SALESFORCE.COM leads with 61 filings at a median salary of $169,562. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $141,751 to $229,400.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Lead Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Lead Software Engineer in San Francisco, 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, 423 H-1B positions for Lead Software Engineers in San Francisco, 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.