Mechanical Engineer H-1B Salary in Sunnyvale, CA
Employers have filed 126 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Mechanical Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA, with a median salary of $140,000. That's 66% higher than the national Mechanical Engineer H-1B median of $84,100 across all U.S. locations, and 11% lower than the Sunnyvale, CA all-roles H-1B median of $157,269. Mechanical Engineer ranks #52 among H-1B job titles filed from Sunnyvale, CA.
Headline numbers for Mechanical Engineer H-1B roles in Sunnyvale, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #2,561 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 Sunnyvale, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $85,000 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $120,000 and $161,446, the interquartile range where most experienced Mechanical Engineers land. The median of $140,000 sits 66% higher than the national Mechanical Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $105,000
- 25th percentile
- $120,000
- Median
- $140,000
- 75th percentile
- $161,446
- 90th percentile
- $190,000
Top Employers Hiring Mechanical Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA
INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Mechanical Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA, with 31 certified filings (25% of local Mechanical Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $125,757. Among the top sponsors, APPLE pays the highest median at $181,397. The pay spread across top employers is 44%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 44% ($125,757 at INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS to $181,397 at APPLE)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS | 31 | $125,757 |
| APPLIED MATERIALS | 21 | $147,620 |
| 19 | $161,446 | |
| APPLIED MATERIALS | 15 | $140,000 |
| APPLE | 6 | $181,397 |
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 Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale, CA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $130,000. 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 |
| San Jose, CA | 131 | $112,819 |
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-Mechanical Engineer role here (15,458 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 | 15,458 | $167,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 4,316 | $159,370 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 2,039 | $184,080 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,651 | $176,000 |
| Software Engineer III | 1,612 | $142,391 |
| Program Manager | 1,215 | $161,000 |
| Software Developer | 943 | $120,600 |
| Project Manager | 681 | $137,363 |
| Software Engineer I | 680 | $142,400 |
| QA Engineer | 655 | $133,718 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Mechanical Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA is $140,000, based on 126 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 66% higher than the national Mechanical Engineer H-1B median of $84,100 across all U.S. locations. It is also 11% lower than the overall H-1B median of $157,269 in Sunnyvale, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $85,000 range from the 10th percentile ($105,000) to the 90th percentile ($190,000). The middle 50% of workers earn between $120,000 and $161,446, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Sunnyvale, CA, with 31 certified filings at a median salary of $125,757. Among the top employers, APPLE pays the highest median at $181,397. The pay spread across top employers is 44%, 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 Sunnyvale, CA, answered directly from 126 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 Sunnyvale, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Mechanical Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA is $140,000, based on 126 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $105,000
- 25th percentile
- $120,000
- Median
- $140,000
- 75th percentile
- $161,446
- 90th percentile
- $190,000
The salary distribution for Mechanical Engineer roles in Sunnyvale, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $105,000, while the 90th percentile earns $190,000. This $85,000 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 Sunnyvale, CA are 7% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Mechanical Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Mechanical Engineer positions in Sunnyvale, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Mechanical Engineer roles specifically in Sunnyvale, CA. INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS leads with 31 filings at a median salary of $125,757. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $125,757 to $181,397.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Mechanical Engineer in Sunnyvale, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Mechanical 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, 126 H-1B positions for Mechanical 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.