Principal Data Engineer H-1B Salary in Durham, NC
Employers have filed 170 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Data Engineer positions in Durham, NC, with a median salary of $131,120. That's 9% lower than the national Principal Data Engineer H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations, and 21% higher than the Durham, NC all-roles H-1B median of $108,659. Principal Data Engineer ranks #17 among H-1B job titles filed from Durham, NC.
Headline numbers for Principal Data Engineer H-1B roles in Durham, NC, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #1,996 by filing volume out of the 7,543 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Principal Data Engineer hiring.
Principal Data Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Durham, NC
The pay distribution for this role spans $27,596 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $121,222 and $139,638, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Data Engineers land. The median of $131,120 sits 9% lower than the national Principal Data Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $120,786
- 25th percentile
- $121,222
- Median
- $131,120
- 75th percentile
- $139,638
- 90th percentile
- $148,382
Top Employers Hiring Principal Data Engineers in Durham, NC
FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Data Engineer in Durham, NC, with 91 certified filings (54% of local Principal Data Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $136,644. Among the top sponsors, NATIONAL CHARITABLE SERVICES pays the highest median at $141,170. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 19% ($119,000 at TT TECHNOLOGIES to $141,170 at NATIONAL CHARITABLE SERVICES)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS | 91 | $136,644 |
| FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP | 70 | $121,222 |
| FIDELITY WORKPLACE INVESTING D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS | 4 | $131,120 |
| NATIONAL CHARITABLE SERVICES | 2 | $141,170 |
| TT TECHNOLOGIES | 1 | $119,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Principal Data 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 Durham, NC, which tells you whether Principal Data Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Principal Data Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Principal Data Engineer is an active H-1B role. Westlake, TX has the most filings (75) outside Durham, NC. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Westlake, TX | 75 | $127,878 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Durham, NC
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Durham, NC, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Developer is the busiest non-Principal Data Engineer role here (2,087 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Principal Full Stack Developer at a median of $132,413.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 2,087 | $108,410 |
| Software Engineer | 1,694 | $117,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 1,505 | $101,421 |
| Principal Software Engineer | 1,142 | $121,222 |
| Associate Research Associate | 363 | $58,000 |
| Principal Full Stack Developer | 325 | $132,413 |
| Senior Full Stack Developer | 311 | $116,709 |
| Consultant | 290 | $100,589 |
| Architect | 270 | $122,803 |
| Senior Software Developer | 246 | $108,410 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Data Engineer in Durham, NC is $131,120, based on 170 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 9% lower than the national Principal Data Engineer H-1B median of $144,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 21% higher than the overall H-1B median of $108,659 in Durham, NC across all job titles.
Salaries span a $27,596 range from the 10th percentile ($120,786) to the 90th percentile ($148,382). The middle 50% of workers earn between $121,222 and $139,638, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Durham, NC, with 91 certified filings at a median salary of $136,644. Among the top employers, NATIONAL CHARITABLE SERVICES pays the highest median at $141,170. The pay spread across top employers is 19%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Principal Data Engineer H-1B roles in Durham, NC, answered directly from 170 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 Principal Data Engineer salary in Durham, NC?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Data Engineer positions in Durham, NC is $131,120, based on 170 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $120,786
- 25th percentile
- $121,222
- Median
- $131,120
- 75th percentile
- $139,638
- 90th percentile
- $148,382
The salary distribution for Principal Data Engineer roles in Durham, NC shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $120,786, while the 90th percentile earns $148,382. This $27,596 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $126,302, Principal Data Engineer salaries in Durham, NC are 4% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Data Engineers in Durham, NC?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Data Engineer positions in Durham, NC are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Data Engineer roles specifically in Durham, NC. FIDELITY TECHNOLOGY GROUP, D/B/A FIDELITY INVESTMENTS leads with 91 filings at a median salary of $136,644. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $119,000 to $141,170.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Data Engineer in Durham, NC?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Data Engineer in Durham, NC, 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, 170 H-1B positions for Principal Data Engineers in Durham, NC 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.