Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary in Burlington, MA
Employers have filed 85 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Principal Software Engineer positions in Burlington, MA, with a median salary of $150,000. That's about the same as the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations, and 25% higher than the Burlington, MA all-roles H-1B median of $120,000. Principal Software Engineer ranks #4 among H-1B job titles filed from Burlington, MA.
Headline numbers for Principal Software Engineer H-1B roles in Burlington, MA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #3,870 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — a moderately active market for Principal Software Engineer hiring.
Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salary Range in Burlington, MA
The pay distribution for this role spans $42,473 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $137,821 and $160,100, the interquartile range where most experienced Principal Software Engineers land. The median of $150,000 sits about the same as the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $135,658
- 25th percentile
- $137,821
- Median
- $150,000
- 75th percentile
- $160,100
- 90th percentile
- $178,131
Top Employers Hiring Principal Software Engineers in Burlington, MA
CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS is the largest H-1B sponsor for Principal Software Engineer in Burlington, MA, with 23 certified filings (27% of local Principal Software Engineer H-1B filings) at a median salary of $147,846. Among the top sponsors, HERE NORTH AMERICA pays the highest median at $163,654. The pay spread across top employers is 21%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 21% ($135,658 at NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS to $163,654 at HERE NORTH AMERICA)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS | 23 | $147,846 |
| STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST | 20 | $150,197 |
| NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS | 10 | $135,658 |
| HERE NORTH AMERICA | 6 | $163,654 |
| VERACODE | 5 | $153,470 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Principal Software 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 Burlington, MA, which tells you whether Principal Software Engineer pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Principal Software Engineer H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Principal Software Engineer is an active H-1B role. Durham, NC has the most filings (1,041) outside Burlington, MA. The highest median among these is Santa Clara, CA at $200,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Durham, NC | 1,041 | $120,786 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 501 | $200,000 |
| Westlake, TX | 463 | $120,328 |
| San Jose, CA | 434 | $191,928 |
| Seattle, WA | 418 | $190,486 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 386 | $184,080 |
| Round Rock, TX | 345 | $130,964 |
| San Francisco, CA | 297 | $196,000 |
| Austin, TX | 264 | $145,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | 211 | $130,478 |
Other H-1B Jobs in Burlington, MA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from Burlington, MA, ranked by certified filing volume. Software Engineer is the busiest non-Principal Software Engineer role here (352 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Senior Software Engineer at a median of $133,724.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 352 | $124,695 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 201 | $133,724 |
| Software Developer | 155 | $108,181 |
| Architect | 64 | $128,627 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer in Burlington, MA is $150,000, based on 85 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is about the same as the national Principal Software Engineer H-1B median of $150,000 across all U.S. locations. It is also 25% higher than the overall H-1B median of $120,000 in Burlington, MA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $42,473 range from the 10th percentile ($135,658) to the 90th percentile ($178,131). The middle 50% of workers earn between $137,821 and $160,100, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in Burlington, MA, with 23 certified filings at a median salary of $147,846. Among the top employers, HERE NORTH AMERICA pays the highest median at $163,654. The pay spread across top employers is 21%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Principal Software Engineer H-1B roles in Burlington, MA, answered directly from 85 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 Software Engineer salary in Burlington, MA?
The median H-1B salary for Principal Software Engineer positions in Burlington, MA is $150,000, based on 85 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $135,658
- 25th percentile
- $137,821
- Median
- $150,000
- 75th percentile
- $160,100
- 90th percentile
- $178,131
The salary distribution for Principal Software Engineer roles in Burlington, MA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $135,658, while the 90th percentile earns $178,131. This $42,473 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Principal Software Engineer salaries in Burlington, MA are 15% higher, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Principal Software Engineers in Burlington, MA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Principal Software Engineer positions in Burlington, MA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Principal Software Engineer roles specifically in Burlington, MA. CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS leads with 23 filings at a median salary of $147,846. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $135,658 to $163,654.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Burlington, MA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Principal Software Engineer in Burlington, MA, 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, 85 H-1B positions for Principal Software Engineers in Burlington, MA 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.