Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salary in San Jose, CA
Employers have filed 131 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Mechanical Engineer positions in San Jose, CA, with a median salary of $112,819. That's 34% higher than the national Mechanical Engineer H-1B median of $84,100 across all U.S. locations, and 23% lower than the San Jose, CA all-roles H-1B median of $146,307. Mechanical Engineer ranks #60 among H-1B job titles filed from San Jose, CA.
Headline numbers for Mechanical Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,471 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Mechanical Engineer hiring.
Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salary Range in San Jose, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $70,043 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $95,000 and $129,400, the interquartile range where most experienced Mechanical Engineers land. The median of $112,819 sits 34% higher than the national Mechanical Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $85,000
- 25th percentile
- $95,000
- Median
- $112,819
- 75th percentile
- $129,400
- 90th percentile
- $155,043
Top Employers Hiring Mechanical Engineers in San Jose, CA
CISCO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Mechanical Engineer in San Jose, CA, with 19 certified filings (15% of local Mechanical Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $133,300. The pay spread across top employers is 48%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 48% ($90,169 at PRAGMATIC PE to $133,300 at CISCO)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CISCO | 19 | $133,300 |
| SOURCE ENGINEERING SERVICES | 9 | $92,955 |
| PRAGMATIC PE | 9 | $90,169 |
| CEPTON TECHNOLOGIES | 6 | $125,000 |
| POLYEXPLORE | 5 | $112,819 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Mechanical Engineer is an active H-1B role. Houston, TX has the most filings (268) outside San Jose, CA. The highest median among these is Sunnyvale, CA at $140,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 268 | $89,502 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 248 | $130,000 |
| Tamuning, GU | 225 | $53,622 |
| Troy, MI | 174 | $84,032 |
| Dearborn, MI | 165 | $82,555 |
| New York, NY | 154 | $83,200 |
| Auburn Hills, MI | 153 | $82,555 |
| Fremont, CA | 143 | $114,546 |
| Livonia, MI | 135 | $80,896 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 126 | $140,000 |
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-Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineer in San Jose, CA is $112,819, based on 131 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 34% higher than the national Mechanical Engineer H-1B median of $84,100 across all U.S. locations. It is also 23% lower than the overall H-1B median of $146,307 in San Jose, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $70,043 range from the 10th percentile ($85,000) to the 90th percentile ($155,043). The middle 50% of workers earn between $95,000 and $129,400, 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 19 certified filings at a median salary of $133,300. The pay spread across top employers is 48%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Mechanical Engineer H-1B roles in San Jose, CA, answered directly from 131 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 Mechanical Engineer salary in San Jose, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Mechanical Engineer positions in San Jose, CA is $112,819, based on 131 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $85,000
- 25th percentile
- $95,000
- Median
- $112,819
- 75th percentile
- $129,400
- 90th percentile
- $155,043
The salary distribution for Mechanical Engineer roles in San Jose, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $85,000, while the 90th percentile earns $155,043. This $70,043 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Mechanical Engineer salaries in San Jose, CA are 14% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Mechanical Engineers in San Jose, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Mechanical Engineer positions in San Jose, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Mechanical Engineer roles specifically in San Jose, CA. CISCO leads with 19 filings at a median salary of $133,300. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $90,169 to $133,300.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Mechanical Engineer in San Jose, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Mechanical 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, 131 H-1B positions for Mechanical 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.