Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 383 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Lead Software Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $161,353. That's 17% higher than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $138,000 across all U.S. locations, and 10% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Lead Software Engineer ranks #22 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Lead Software Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #666 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Lead Software Engineer hiring.
Lead Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $78,307 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $138,590 and $183,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Lead Software Engineers land. The median of $161,353 sits 17% higher than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $126,693
- 25th percentile
- $138,590
- Median
- $161,353
- 75th percentile
- $183,000
- 90th percentile
- $205,000
Top Employers Hiring Lead Software Engineers in San Jose, CA
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Lead Software Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 161 certified filings (42% of local Lead Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $174,725. Among the top sponsors, AUTOMATION ANYWHERE pays the highest median at $184,080. The pay spread across top employers is 41%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 41% ($131,000 at GREAT SOFTWARE LABORATORY to $184,080 at AUTOMATION ANYWHERE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CISCO | 161 | $174,725 |
| CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS | 64 | $141,378 |
| GREAT SOFTWARE LABORATORY | 31 | $131,000 |
| GLOBALLOGIC | 14 | $131,726 |
| AUTOMATION ANYWHERE | 11 | $184,080 |
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 Jose, 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 (687) outside San Jose, CA. The highest median among these is San Francisco, CA at $175,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Plano, TX | 687 | $153,000 |
| Charlotte, NC | 629 | $134,347 |
| San Francisco, CA | 392 | $175,000 |
| New York, NY | 370 | $160,000 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 360 | $170,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 348 | $136,201 |
| O'Fallon, MO | 318 | $125,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | 273 | $133,000 |
| Alpharetta, GA | 270 | $117,915 |
| Columbus, OH | 266 | $141,000 |
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 Software 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 Software Engineer in San Jose, CA is $161,353, based on 383 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 17% higher than the national Lead Software Engineer H-1B median of $138,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 10% higher than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $78,307 range from the 10th percentile ($126,693) to the 90th percentile ($205,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $138,590 and $183,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 161 certified filings at a median salary of $174,725. Among the top employers, AUTOMATION ANYWHERE pays the highest median at $184,080. The pay spread across top employers is 41%, 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 Jose, CA, answered directly from 383 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 Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Lead Software Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $161,353, based on 383 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $126,693
- 25th percentile
- $138,590
- Median
- $161,353
- 75th percentile
- $183,000
- 90th percentile
- $205,000
The salary distribution for Lead Software Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $126,693, while the 90th percentile earns $205,000. This $78,307 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Lead Software Engineer salaries in San Jose, CA are 24% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Lead Software Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Lead Software Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Lead Software Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. CISCO leads with 161 filings at a median salary of $174,725. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $131,000 to $184,080.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Lead Software Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Lead Software 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, 383 H-1B positions for Lead Software 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.