Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 128 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $162,118. That's 3% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $158,080 across all U.S. locations, and 6% higher than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $153,010. Machine Learning Engineer ranks #40 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,612 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Machine Learning Engineer hiring.
Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $114,158 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $135,283 and $192,941, the interquartile range where most experienced Machine Learning Engineers land. The median of $162,118 sits 3% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $112,000
- 25th percentile
- $135,283
- Median
- $162,118
- 75th percentile
- $192,941
- 90th percentile
- $226,158
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Engineers in Santa Clara, CA
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Machine Learning Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, with 27 certified filings (21% of local Machine Learning Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $192,941. Among the top sponsors, BOSON AI USA pays the highest median at $250,000. The pay spread across top employers is 129%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 129% ($109,000 at SOUNDHOUND to $250,000 at BOSON AI USA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| APPLE | 27 | $192,941 |
| SERVICENOW | 16 | $141,378 |
| SOUNDHOUND | 9 | $109,000 |
| BOSON AI USA | 8 | $250,000 |
| QUALCOMM | 5 | $162,416 |
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 Santa Clara, 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. San Jose, CA has the most filings (868) outside Santa Clara, CA. The highest median among these is Cupertino, CA at $191,584. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 868 | $184,662 |
| Cupertino, CA | 539 | $191,584 |
| New York, NY | 460 | $151,819 |
| San Francisco, CA | 442 | $167,710 |
| Seattle, WA | 414 | $165,000 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 273 | $187,741 |
| Mountain View, CA | 261 | $184,080 |
| Palo Alto, CA | 232 | $172,022 |
| Bellevue, WA | 205 | $185,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 144 | $126,880 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Santa Clara, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Machine Learning Engineer role here (4,455 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Software Engineer at a median of $200,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 4,455 | $149,950 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,455 | $156,951 |
| Component Design Engineer | 1,267 | $131,470 |
| Hardware Engineer | 896 | $163,717 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 865 | $179,396 |
| Software Engineer II | 802 | $178,300 |
| Architect | 711 | $165,000 |
| QA Engineer | 557 | $123,283 |
| Software Developer | 554 | $126,693 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 524 | $200,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $162,118, based on 128 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 3% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $158,080 across all U.S. locations. It is also 6% higher than the overall H-1B median of $153,010 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $114,158 range from the 10th percentile ($112,000) to the 90th percentile ($226,158). The middle 50% of workers earn between $135,283 and $192,941, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 27 certified filings at a median salary of $192,941. Among the top employers, BOSON AI USA pays the highest median at $250,000. The pay spread across top employers is 129%, 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 Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 128 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA is $162,118, based on 128 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $112,000
- 25th percentile
- $135,283
- Median
- $162,118
- 75th percentile
- $192,941
- 90th percentile
- $226,158
The salary distribution for Machine Learning Engineer roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $112,000, while the 90th percentile earns $226,158. This $114,158 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Machine Learning Engineer salaries in Santa Clara, CA are 24% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Machine Learning Engineers in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Machine Learning Engineer roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. APPLE leads with 27 filings at a median salary of $192,941. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $109,000 to $250,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in Santa Clara, 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, 128 H-1B positions for Machine Learning Engineers in Santa Clara, 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.