Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 981 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Machine Learning Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $186,874. That's 20% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $155,605 across all U.S. locations, and 25% higher than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $150,000. Machine Learning Engineer ranks #6 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #202 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — one of the largest for Machine Learning Engineer hiring.
Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $139,106 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $155,085 and $225,077, the interquartile range where most experienced Machine Learning Engineers land. The median of $186,874 sits 20% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $130,894
- 25th percentile
- $155,085
- Median
- $186,874
- 75th percentile
- $225,077
- 90th percentile
- $270,000
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Engineers in San Jose, CA
ADOBE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Machine Learning Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 438 certified filings (45% of local Machine Learning Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $186,000. Among the top sponsors, BYTEDANCE pays the highest median at $231,840. The pay spread across top employers is 67%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 67% ($138,445 at ZOOM VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS to $231,840 at BYTEDANCE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ADOBE | 438 | $186,000 |
| TIKTOK | 165 | $205,000 |
| BYTEDANCE | 141 | $231,840 |
| PAYPAL | 36 | $183,310 |
| ZOOM VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS | 30 | $138,445 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Machine Learning 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 Machine Learning Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Machine Learning Engineer is an active H-1B role. Cupertino, CA has the most filings (549) outside San Jose, CA. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cupertino, CA | 549 | $191,924 |
| New York, NY | 549 | $154,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | 518 | $170,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 440 | $165,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 298 | $188,500 |
| Mountain View, CA | 284 | $185,000 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 284 | $174,304 |
| Bellevue, WA | 259 | $185,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 148 | $126,880 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 146 | $162,500 |
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-Machine Learning Engineer role here (9,425 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $185,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 9,425 | $162,485 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,894 | $176,033 |
| Software Developer | 1,620 | $120,640 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,360 | $155,375 |
| Product Manager | 1,140 | $173,157 |
| Data Scientist | 963 | $165,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 909 | $185,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 899 | $133,875 |
| Accountant | 859 | $109,453 |
| Architect | 824 | $147,160 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer in San Jose, CA is $186,874, based on 981 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 20% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $155,605 across all U.S. locations. It is also 25% higher than the overall H-1B median of $150,000 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $139,106 range from the 10th percentile ($130,894) to the 90th percentile ($270,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $155,085 and $225,077, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ADOBE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in San Jose, CA, with 438 certified filings at a median salary of $186,000. Among the top employers, BYTEDANCE pays the highest median at $231,840. The pay spread across top employers is 67%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, answered directly from 981 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 Machine Learning Engineer salary in San Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $186,874, based on 981 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $130,894
- 25th percentile
- $155,085
- Median
- $186,874
- 75th percentile
- $225,077
- 90th percentile
- $270,000
The salary distribution for Machine Learning Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $130,894, while the 90th percentile earns $270,000. This $139,106 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Machine Learning Engineer salaries in San Jose, CA are 48% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Machine Learning Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Machine Learning Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. ADOBE leads with 438 filings at a median salary of $186,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $138,445 to $231,840.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning 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, 981 H-1B positions for Machine Learning 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.