Principal Engineer H-1B Salary in Austin, TX
Employers have filed 91 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Engineer positions in Austin, TX, with a median salary of $155,000. That's about the same as the national Principal Engineer H-1B median of $154,800 across all U.S. locations, and 35% higher than the Austin, TX all-roles H-1B median of $115,000. Principal Engineer ranks #106 among H-1B job titles filed from Austin, TX.
Headline numbers for Principal Engineer H-1B roles in Austin, TX, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,599 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Principal Engineer hiring.
Principal Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Austin, TX
The pay distribution for this role spans $72,184 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $150,509 and $170,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Engineers land. The median of $155,000 sits about the same as the national Principal Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $127,566
- 25th percentile
- $150,509
- Median
- $155,000
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $199,750
Top Employers Hiring Principal Engineers in Austin, TX
ARM is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Engineer in Austin, TX, with 35 certified filings (38% of local Principal Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $154,565. Among the top sponsors, SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR pays the highest median at $240,000. The pay spread across top employers is 55%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 55% ($154,565 at ARM to $240,000 at SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| ARM | 35 | $154,565 |
| TSMC TECHNOLOGY | 10 | $154,565 |
| MEDIATEK USA | 9 | $158,000 |
| SAMBANOVA SYSTEMS | 8 | $170,000 |
| SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR | 3 | $240,000 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Principal 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 Austin, TX, which tells you whether Principal Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Principal Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Principal Engineer is an active H-1B role. San Jose, CA has the most filings (136) outside Austin, TX. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $192,941. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | 136 | $180,000 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 117 | $192,941 |
| San Francisco, CA | 96 | $170,450 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Austin, TX
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Austin, TX, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Principal Engineer role here (6,127 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Software Engineer II at a median of $145,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 6,127 | $125,000 |
| Software Developer | 4,107 | $96,866 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 2,201 | $128,100 |
| Architect | 1,707 | $91,000 |
| Software Engineer II | 1,391 | $145,000 |
| Consultant | 1,210 | $98,904 |
| Staff Software Engineer | 860 | $132,683 |
| Project Manager | 820 | $102,440 |
| Software Engineer I | 797 | $124,000 |
| Component Design Engineer | 737 | $110,656 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Engineer in Austin, TX is $155,000, based on 91 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is about the same as the national Principal Engineer H-1B median of $154,800 across all U.S. locations. It is also 35% higher than the overall H-1B median of $115,000 in Austin, TX across all job titles.
Salaries span a $72,184 range from the 10th percentile ($127,566) to the 90th percentile ($199,750). The middle 50% of workers earn between $150,509 and $170,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
ARM is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Austin, TX, with 35 certified filings at a median salary of $154,565. Among the top employers, SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR pays the highest median at $240,000. The pay spread across top employers is 55%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Principal Engineer H-1B roles in Austin, TX, answered directly from 91 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 Engineer salary in Austin, TX?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Engineer positions in Austin, TX is $155,000, based on 91 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $127,566
- 25th percentile
- $150,509
- Median
- $155,000
- 75th percentile
- $170,000
- 90th percentile
- $199,750
The salary distribution for Principal Engineer roles in Austin, TX shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $127,566, while the 90th percentile earns $199,750. This $72,184 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Principal Engineer salaries in Austin, TX are 19% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Engineers in Austin, TX?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Engineer positions in Austin, TX are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Engineer roles specifically in Austin, TX. ARM leads with 35 filings at a median salary of $154,565. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $154,565 to $240,000.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Engineer in Austin, TX?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Engineer in Austin, TX, 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, 91 H-1B positions for Principal Engineers in Austin, TX 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.