Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salary in Santa Clara, CA
Employers have filed 261 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Mechanical Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $130,000. That's 54% higher than the national Mechanical Engineer H-1B median of $84,500 across all U.S. locations, and 15% lower than the Santa Clara, CA all-roles H-1B median of $153,010. Mechanical Engineer ranks #19 among H-1B job titles filed from Santa Clara, CA.
Headline numbers for Mechanical Engineer H-1B roles in Santa Clara, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,146 by filing volume out of the 7,138 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Mechanical Engineer hiring.
Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Santa Clara, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $85,963 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $113,516 and $154,061, the interquartile range where most experienced Mechanical Engineers land. The median of $130,000 sits 54% higher than the national Mechanical Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $92,955
- 25th percentile
- $113,516
- Median
- $130,000
- 75th percentile
- $154,061
- 90th percentile
- $178,918
Top Employers Hiring Mechanical Engineers in Santa Clara, CA
APPLIED MATERIALS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Mechanical Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, with 85 certified filings (33% of local Mechanical Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $145,000. The pay spread across top employers is 94%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 94% ($74,571 at NWEA to $145,000 at APPLIED MATERIALS)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| APPLIED MATERIALS | 85 | $145,000 |
| APPLIED MATERIALS | 60 | $130,000 |
| NVIDIA | 38 | $140,525 |
| ARISTA NETWORKS | 9 | $118,868 |
| NWEA | 8 | $74,571 |
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 Santa Clara, 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 (274) outside Santa Clara, CA. The highest median among these is Sunnyvale, CA at $141,750. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 274 | $89,502 |
| Tamuning, GU | 234 | $54,000 |
| Troy, MI | 176 | $84,032 |
| Dearborn, MI | 167 | $82,555 |
| Auburn Hills, MI | 162 | $83,200 |
| New York, NY | 162 | $84,885 |
| Fremont, CA | 144 | $114,546 |
| Livonia, MI | 139 | $81,162 |
| San Jose, CA | 135 | $112,819 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 131 | $141,750 |
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-Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineer in Santa Clara, CA is $130,000, based on 261 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 54% higher than the national Mechanical Engineer H-1B median of $84,500 across all U.S. locations. It is also 15% lower than the overall H-1B median of $153,010 in Santa Clara, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $85,963 range from the 10th percentile ($92,955) to the 90th percentile ($178,918). The middle 50% of workers earn between $113,516 and $154,061, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
APPLIED MATERIALS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Santa Clara, CA, with 85 certified filings at a median salary of $145,000. The pay spread across top employers is 94%, 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 Santa Clara, CA, answered directly from 261 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Mechanical Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA is $130,000, based on 261 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $92,955
- 25th percentile
- $113,516
- Median
- $130,000
- 75th percentile
- $154,061
- 90th percentile
- $178,918
The salary distribution for Mechanical Engineer roles in Santa Clara, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $92,955, while the 90th percentile earns $178,918. This $85,963 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,707, Mechanical Engineer salaries in Santa Clara, CA are 1% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Mechanical Engineers in Santa Clara, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Mechanical Engineer positions in Santa Clara, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Mechanical Engineer roles specifically in Santa Clara, CA. APPLIED MATERIALS leads with 85 filings at a median salary of $145,000. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $74,571 to $145,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Mechanical Engineer in Santa Clara, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Mechanical 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, 261 H-1B positions for Mechanical 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.