Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 298 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA, with a median salary of $188,500. That's 21% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $155,605 across all U.S. locations, and 19% higher than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $159,000. Machine Learning Engineer ranks #26 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for Machine Learning Engineer H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,046 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Machine Learning Engineer hiring.
Machine Learning Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $94,174 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $161,300 and $205,405, the interquartile range where most experienced Machine Learning Engineers land. The median of $188,500 sits 21% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $141,586
- 25th percentile
- $161,300
- Median
- $188,500
- 75th percentile
- $205,405
- 90th percentile
- $235,760
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for Machine Learning Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA, with 158 certified filings (53% of local Machine Learning Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $192,941. Among the top sponsors, WAYVE TECHNOLOGIES pays the highest median at $280,000. The pay spread across top employers is 75%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 75% ($160,000 at INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS to $280,000 at WAYVE TECHNOLOGIES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| APPLE | 158 | $192,941 |
| DOORDASH | 13 | $172,931 |
| WAYVE TECHNOLOGIES | 13 | $280,000 |
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS | 12 | $160,000 |
| UBER TECHNOLOGIES | 12 | $184,100 |
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 Sunnyvale, 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 (981) outside Sunnyvale, CA. The highest median among these is Cupertino, CA at $191,924. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 981 | $186,874 |
| Cupertino, CA | 549 | $191,924 |
| New York, NY | 549 | $154,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | 518 | $170,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 440 | $165,000 |
| 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Sunnyvale, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Machine Learning Engineer role here (17,432 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Staff Software Engineer at a median of $184,080.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 17,432 | $168,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,872 | $160,000 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,257 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,745 | $142,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,744 | $175,800 |
| Program Manager | 1,303 | $162,000 |
| Software Developer | 1,004 | $121,000 |
| QA Engineer | 723 | $135,000 |
| Project Manager | 707 | $139,443 |
| Software Engineer I | 703 | $144,000 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $188,500, based on 298 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 21% higher than the national Machine Learning Engineer H-1B median of $155,605 across all U.S. locations. It is also 19% higher than the overall H-1B median of $159,000 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $94,174 range from the 10th percentile ($141,586) to the 90th percentile ($235,760). The middle 50% of workers earn between $161,300 and $205,405, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
APPLE is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 158 certified filings at a median salary of $192,941. Among the top employers, WAYVE TECHNOLOGIES pays the highest median at $280,000. The pay spread across top employers is 75%, 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 Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 298 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 Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $188,500, based on 298 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $141,586
- 25th percentile
- $161,300
- Median
- $188,500
- 75th percentile
- $205,405
- 90th percentile
- $235,760
The salary distribution for Machine Learning Engineer roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $141,586, while the 90th percentile earns $235,760. This $94,174 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 Sunnyvale, CA are 49% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Machine Learning Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Machine Learning Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Machine Learning Engineer roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. APPLE leads with 158 filings at a median salary of $192,941. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $160,000 to $280,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Machine Learning Engineer in Sunnyvale, 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, 298 H-1B positions for Machine Learning Engineers in Sunnyvale, 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.